Posted on: Friday, October 1, 2004
HEALTH
West Nile virus still potential threat
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
Hawai'i should remain vigilant against the spread of West Nile virus, despite a test that's ruled out the disease on a Maui bird, the state's top disease specialist said.
Collect dead birds and drop them off for testing. For a list of collection sites and tips, call Aloha United Way's 211 phone line.
Eliminate standing water, in which mosquitoes can breed.
Wear repellent containing DEET and long-sleeved clothing to protect against mosquito bites; and avoid exposure at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most likely to be out.
For more information on West Nile, visit the Health Department's Web site at www.hawaii.gov/health or the CDC site at www.cdc.gov. Source: State Health Department Overall, Effler said the initial alert for the disease has helped to raise awareness and ramp up prevention efforts: "This was a good wake-up call for us as far as West Nile."
Only Hawai'i, Alaska and Washington have not reported cases.
A Centers for Disease Control laboratory ruled out West Nile virus in the live wild sparrow found at Kahului Airport last week, despite preliminary tests that indicated it might be the state's first case of the sometimes-deadly disease.
The bird was trapped as part of an unrelated effort to keep birds off the runway for safety. Effler said the bird was killed later.
Effler urged vigilance in mosquito control and monitoring of dead birds, which could be an early warning that the mosquito-borne disease has been imported to the Islands.
West Nile virus usually passes between mosquitoes and birds but it can infect humans and horses bitten by mosquitoes. Officials say most people who are bitten show no symptoms, but some develop West Nile fever, a mild flu-like illness which lasts a few days. The disease can be more serious, and even fatal, for some people.
Effler said the first screening test done last week at the state lab indicated that West Nile was possible but that the bird could have been exposed to any of a number of other viruses that prompted the initial preliminary positive test result.
The state may learn as early as next week what disease the bird had been exposed to, Effler said. He said the tests done on the Mainland definitely rule out West Nile, but he said it's possible that no specific disease will ever be pinpointed for that sparrow.
Effler said testing of dead birds is critical to identifying West Nile virus. Officials are asking that people take any such birds to the nearest collection site.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
"West Nile virus is still a potential threat to Hawai'i, as the disease continues to spread throughout the Mainland and particularly on the West Coast," state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Effler said yesterday.
Preventing West Nile
