West Nile virus cases up in Douglas County

Four more cases of West Nile virus were reported in Douglas County, bringing the total to 14 this season.

The new cases include another case of the neuroinvasive form of the disease in a person over 50. Those cases involve meningitis, encephalitis or both. A second person over 50 has developed fever and the last two new cases reported were mild.

Neighboring Lyon County reported one more case in a person over the age of 50, bringing their total to 11. In Carson City, one more case was reported in a person over 50, bringing their total to five.

Statewide, the number of cases rose from 68 to 84 this week.

Elko County has the highest total in the state with 15, but Douglas and Humboldt counties have 14 each.

The disease is transmitted to humans when they are bitten by mosquitoes, so the best way to reduce the risk is to "fight the bite," according to information provided by the Nevada State Health Department.

Mosquito repellent DEET and Picardin typically provide longer-lasting protection than others and both are recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency for efficacy and safety, when properly applied.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant-based repellent, provides protection similar to those repellents with low concentrations of DEET when tested with mosquitoes from the United States.

When choosing DEET repellent, check the label for products containing a 20-30 percent concentration for adults and no more than 10 percent for children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is acceptable to use 10 percent DEET on children over two months of age, but other medical agencies use two years of age as a guide.

Follow the label's instructions carefully, especially when applying to children.

All mosquitoes require water to breed and they will lay their eggs in stagnant water around the home. Even a small bucket with stagnant water in it for a few days can become home to up to 1,000 mosquito larvae.

Water in irrigated fields can also provide a mosquito breeding source.

Weeds, tall grass, shrubbery and discarded tires can provide an outdoor home for adult mosquitoes, according to the Nevada State Health Division.

For information, access the Web site at: health2k.state.nv.us/php/WNVCurrent/WNVprevention.htm

• Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.

At a glance

According to figures from the Nevada State Health Division, 10 cases of human West Nile virus infections have been reported in Douglas County to date.

Last year, just one case had been reported in Douglas County by August and the season isn't over. Cases were reported in Northern Nevada through October 2005. Nine cases were documented in Nevada through August 2005, and the state-wide total for that year was 30.

The number of West Nile virus infections have not increased in Douglas County this week but statewide, that figure jumped to 68, an increase of 13 over last week's totals, according to Martha Framsted, spokeswoman for the Nevada State Health Division.

Of those cases, 24 resulted in the more serious form of the disease, causing encephalitis or meningitis. There have been no fatalities in Nevada to date, Framsted said.

For more information, access the Health Division's Web site at: health2k.state.nv.us/php/WNVCurrent/WNVactivity.htm