West Nile!!!

[segbert]

Watch out for the skeeters

[jerp]

Up untill this year I've kinda scoffed at the West Nile scare. But with all the cases in N. Texas this year, I am taking it more seriously. I've been spraying down everytime I go out in the yard - or even the garage - at dawn or dusk.

[TX Doc]

The media is blowing the west nile scare out of proportion. In most people with a normal immune system it will only cause a cold or flu like illness. The only way to diagnose it is by a fancy pcr lab assay test that most hospitals don't do. I would have to send the sample to Dallas and by the time they run the test and send the results back to me the virus will have run its course. Besides that it's still a virus so there is no cure. All you can do is try to treat symptoms just like a cold. The only time the testing is really going to be of benefit is in chronically or critically ill people with poor immune systems where you might be trying to decide whether to give antibiotics or not, but even in that case if you're not in a big city you won't be able to get the results quick enough. I would definately keep using insect repellant just so you don't get covered up with mosquito bites, but I wouldn't let the fear of west nile keep you from going outside.

[Dannyzuber]

Its not all blown out...I see it daily, take care...


Dear Area Medical Providers,

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has confirmed a record number of 115 West Nile Virus (WNV) infections in Dallas County residents to date. Of these patients, 84 were diagnosed with West Nile Neuro-invasive Disease (WNND), and 31 have had West Nile Fever (WNF).

Area environmental surveillance continues to indicate high WNV infection rates in mosquitoes, favoring ongoing transmission to humans. Almost 80% of WNV cases this season in Dallas County have resided north of the Interstate 30. Since WNV activity typically peaks in August, human infections are expected to increase in the upcoming weeks.

WNF is typically characterized by self-limited fever, headache without meningismus, and malaise, lasting 2-7 days. WNF is often under-diagnosed, as patients with mild illness may not seek medical care.

Illness with West Nile Neuro-invasive Disease (WNND) occurs in <1% of WNV infections. The severity of this WNV season in Dallas, however, is resulting in high numbers of patients with WNND. About 40% of hospitalized WNND patients in Dallas have required ICU admissions, and 5 WNND patients have died. Common reasons for admission of WNND cases have included: evaluation for symptoms of meningitis, altered mental status, or progressive profound weakness or paralysis. The most frequent reason for ICU admission has been respiratory failure due to encephalitis or extreme muscle weakness.

Physicians are encouraged to particularly remind high-risk patients to take personal prevention measures against mosquito bites at this time, including: avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants when outside. Persons with advanced age, immune suppression, cancer, organ transplants, diabetes, and kidney disease are at greater risk for severe infection.

Please report suspected WNV cases as soon as possible by fax to DCHHS at (214) 819-1933. Thank you.



Sonya Hughes, MPH

Epidemiologist

Dallas County Health and Human Services

2377 N Stemmons Fwy

Dallas, TX 75207

Phone: (214) 819-2004

Fax: (214) 819-1933

[myway]

I intended to post a warning last night after going and spraying my BILs yard after him being diagnosed on Friday and another neighbor being diagnosed last week as well. This is in the east dallas area around White rock lake so spray your yards and your self. While I will agree the media maybe taking it a little overboard but if it was his three year old little girl that was diagnosed it might not end the same.

[mojorider]

Thanks for the heads up.

[Texifornia]

I agree that we the ppl need to be careful of this virus and not scuff it off.