Posted on: Wednesday, October 6, 2004
Threat of West Nile here highest ever this year
| • | Q&A: West Nile can become fatal |
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
Keith Yoshimura remembers the dengue fever outbreak on Maui a few years back, so when a possible case of West Nile virus — another mosquito-borne disease — loomed in the Islands last week, he knew the drill well:
"In my own home, I just make sure that I don't have buckets or cans out during the rainy times, or anything else that holds standing water, because that's the major breeding ground for mosquitoes," said Yoshimura, 47, of Pearl City.
While there has been no evidence of West Nile virus in Hawai'i, a possible case on Maui recently drew attention to the disease and moved the state Department of Health to ask Hawai'i residents to step up mosquito control and reporting dead birds.
A bird captured on Maui tested positive for the disease on Sept. 24 in preliminary tests run by the state health department. But further testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Fort Collins, Colo., determined on Sept. 30 that the bird did not have the virus.
Still, residents should continue to keep their guard up, said Shokufeh Ramirez, West Nile virus coordinator with the state health department. "This year, we feel the threat is at the highest level it has ever been," said Ramirez, who noted the increase of West Nile virus transmissions on the West Coast, where Hawai'i gets many of its goods via ships and planes.
An infected bird or mosquito that makes its way aboard a ship or plane would be the most likely way the virus would be introduced to the state, Ramirez said.
"I think it is a threat," said Joni White, an avid gardener and volunteer at the Pearl City Urban Garden Center. "I think it's something that we do need to be vigilant about because it's so easy to bring in insects and pests to Hawai'i."
White, 46, of Royal Kunia, monitors the amount of mosquitoes in her yard, a good indicator there is standing water she needs to get rid of.
The virus, introduced to the United States in New York in 1999, has moved quickly across the Mainland. By Aug. 17, 2004, 689 Mainland cases of human West Nile virus infections, including 20 deaths, had been reported for the year. As of Sept. 28, the CDC has reported more than 1,784 cases and 56 deaths. Hawai'i, Alaska and Washington have never reported cases.
About one in 150 West Nile virus infections will result in severe illness, including neck stiffness, coma, convulsions, weakness, vision loss and sometimes paralysis, the CDC reported. Among those with severe illness caused by West Nile virus, case-fatality rates range from 3 percent to 15 percent and are highest among the elderly.
About 80 percent of people who are infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms, according to the CDC. There is no antiviral drug or vaccine that works against the virus.
While Yoshimura doesn't feel an immediate threat, he said it's better to be safe than sorry. "There are preventive measures you can take, so you should take them," he said.
Dr. Landis Lum, a family-practice physician for Kaiser Permanente, contributed to this report. Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174. • • • • Apply insect repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when you're outdoors. Always read and follow the product directions when using any insect repellent or insecticide. • Use care in applying repellent to children: Don't put repellent on their hands, and be careful to avoid their mouths and eyes. Products containing 10 percent or less DEET are the most appropriate for children ages 2 to 12. • Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long pants and socks, while outdoors. • Spray clothing with repellents containing DEET or permethrin, because mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. • Avoid activities where mosquitoes are plentiful. Source: state Department of Health How to prevent West Nile Virus Eliminate standing water: • Remove anything that collects rainwater, such as cans, bottles, buckets, used tires, flowerpots, abandoned cars and boats. • Clean clogged roof gutters. • Cover garbage cans, uncapped hollow tile walls and fence pipes. • For large objects and plants you can't remove — such as bromeliads, pineapple lilies, banana trees, hollow bamboo or tree stumps — spray the breeding area with a solution of 4 to 6 ounces of liquid detergent in a gallon of water every week. • Empty and clean watering containers for pets and livestock at least once a week. • Fix rips and tears in your screen doors and windows. • Clean out flower vases and replace the water. • Spray mosquitoes with aerosol insecticides labeled for flying insects. • Fix leaky faucets. Report dead birds: • If you see a dead bird, put a plastic bag on your hand to pick it up. (While you should avoid directly touching the bird, you cannot catch the virus by handling it.) Double-bag the bird, then store in a cool place. • Call 211 or visit www.hawaii.gov/health for more instructions. Source: state Department of Health
Control the pesky insect's population.
Efforts have been stepped up to prevent the introduction of West Nile virus to Hawai'i. The mosquito-borne disease can be deadly.
Keeping mosquitoes away
