Health department 'Tees it Up' against West Nile

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department has begun the 2010 West Nile Virus education campaign. This year's theme is "Tee it up against West Nile Virus."

Educational materials will be distributed to area golf courses in the eight county health district, which includes Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins and Red Willow.

"We will be visiting the area golf courses, to raise awareness about protecting yourself against West Nile Virus," said Shane Smith, Environmental Health Coordinator at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department.

"Golf courses are a natural breeding ground for mosquitoes, because of the water hazards found on most courses. Water hazards pose a concern not just because of hitting an "errant" shot into them, but also standing water is a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. We believe the golf courses do a great job of trying to control this, yet the hazard still remains."

Trapping for mosquitoes has moved into full swing as well for the health department. Travis Wheeler of Imperial began trapping in the Chase County area June 7. Wheeler will collect mosquitoes from six traps biweekly and send them to the State.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus can vary, according to the Center for Disease Control and prevention:

* Most people, approximately 80 percent or 4 out of 5 who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

* Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected, have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

* A few people, about one in 150 people will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

To avoid mosquito bites, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

* Applying mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus;

* Wearing long-sleeved shirt, pants and socks;

* Avoiding going out at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; and

* Eliminate standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.

"It is important to take the necessary precautions to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes." States Beverly Powers, Surveillance Coordinator at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. "The West Nile Virus is not limited to the locations which have positive tested pools of mosquitoes."

More information on West Nile Virus may be found at http://www.swhealthdept.com/health.htm

You may also call (308) 345-4223 for more information or educational materials.