Mosquito bites are major irritation all over the U.S.
Southern states lead nation in West Nile virus
Everyone agrees that mosquitoes are annoying. They can ruin camp-outs, picnics, outdoor sporting events, and just hanging out with friends.
Most of the time, mosquito bites itch, swell slightly, and generally stop bothering you after a short time. As of press time, however, there are 1,438 people in 39 states this year that have been concerned with more than an itchy bump on their arm.
These are the confirmed or probable cases of human West Nile virus reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. Of these reported cases, a total of 64 deaths have occurred.
Encephalitis is the most serious manifestation of West Nile virus, causing inflammation of the brain. Most infections are mild, with symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches.
Louisiana has the highest number of reported cases with 238 people infected and eight deaths. "Our state health department has been very active with reports and educational briefings that are sent to health organizations," says Warren Hebert, executive director of the Home Care Association of Louisiana, based in New Iberia. "As an association, we distribute by fax or e-mail, the notices to all of our members," he adds.
The best protection against West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites by using repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk, the two times of day mosquitoes are most active.
Public health officials also recommend that any standing water around a house or yard be eliminated because it provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
"The media has done such a good job of informing the general public about the risk of West Nile virus and mosquitoes that we’ve not had a lot of questions from our patients," says Karen B. Utterback, MSN, RN, vice president of operations for Southern Mississippi Home Health in Hattiesburg.
"We are concerned for one of our clerical employees who is waiting on lab results to let her know if she has the virus," she adds.
"Our hospital has sent out information to all home health staff members that helps us educate our patients and caregivers about the precautions they should take," says Claudia Kammer, RN, administrator of Women’s Health Home Care in Baton Rouge, LA.
"We have a special challenge because 90% of our patients are pediatric patients and newborns," she adds. "The insect repellents that are recommended for adults to use cannot be used safely on our pediatric patients.
"We emphasize that parents keep the babies covered when they leave the home and follow their pediatricians’ advice for protection," Kammer says.
(For more information about West Nile virus, go to the CDC web site for West Nile virus at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/. The site contains updated information on the outbreak, information on symptoms, prevention, surveillance, and clinical guidelines.)
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