Wayne County alerts residents: the biggest threat from mosquitoes and West Nile Virus is in homes and backyards

April 21, 2004
For Immediate Release:

Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano and Wayne County Department of Public Health officials on Wednesday issued an important alert for residents this mosquito season: the best protection against mosquitoes and the threat of West Nile Virus starts at home.

Wayne County – “ As we head into the warm months of spring and summer, we all need to remember that the biggest threat from mosquitoes is around our homes and in our backyards,” said Ficano. “We each have a lot of control when it comes to preventing mosquitoes and the threat of West Nile Virus.”
Ficano’s reminder came at Wayne County’s annual seminar on West Nile Virus. The seminar, which was conducted by the Department of Public Health, drew over 100 community and municipal officials Wednesday to get updates about West Nile Virus and to hear about public outreach and prevention efforts.
Prevention around the home is vital because mosquitoes typically do not travel far from where they hatch during their short life cycle. Mosquitoes lay eggs and hatch in stagnant water, the type most often found in home gutters or in backyards where common breeding sites include bird baths, flower pots, wading pools, old tires or other containers that collect water. Mosquitoes cannot lay eggs or successfully breed in flowing water.

Wayne County had 10 cases of WNV in 2003, including three in Detroit. Of the 19 cases in Michigan, two in Oakland County resulted in deaths. There were no deaths in Wayne County, said Public Health Director Anahid Kulwicki.

“ Less than 1% of persons infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Among those with severe illness, WNV case fatality rates range from 3-15 % and are highest among the elderly,” said Kulwicki.

Kulwicki added: “The Wayne County Public Health Department stresses public education because information can help people take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their families against mosquito bites and possible WNV infection.”
Ways to prevent West Nile Virus infection range from making it harder for mosquitoes to enter our homes to eliminating their breeding areas. To help reduce the mosquito population around your home, Wayne County officials suggest you:

• Empty all sources of standing water such as birdbaths and old tires. Also, turn over buckets, wading pools and other toys where water can collect.
   
• Check window and door screens for tears or holes. Close all gaps and cracks in the screens.
   
• As much as possible, stay inside when mosquito activity is heavy – dawn, dusk, and early evening.
   
• Whenever possible, wear long sleeves and long pants.
   
• “Use an insect repellent containing permethrin or DEET,” said Keith A. Tait, Disease Control Division Director for the Wayne County Public Health Department. “You can apply repellent on exposed skin and clothes. An effective repellent will contain 35 percent DEET, and you should wash off the repellent when you come indoors.”

Tait added that an insect repellent with 10 percent or lower DEET is recommended for children. However, parents should not use products with DEET on infants, he said. Also, do not use repellent on a child’s hands or near a child’s mouth.

The West Nile Virus infection may require supportive treatment, so it is important to recognize the symptoms, said Tait. “ Mild symptoms may include slight fever, headache, rash, body aches, and swollen glands,” Tait said. “Severe symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness, confusion, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and coma. In its most severe form, West Nile Virus can cause death.”

In addition to working with communities, the County is making sure its departments of Environment and Public Services, which includes roads and parks, are also prepared, said Ficano. The departments will identify areas of stagnant water and treat them with a product that kills mosquito eggs or larva.

More information about the West Nile Virus is available by calling the Public Health hotline at: 734-727-7445 or by visiting:
www.waynecounty.com

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Media Contact:
Sharon Banks, Press Secretary
Ph: 313-224-0760