First case of West Nile Virus confirmed in county

The first recorded case of West Nile Virus in Los Alamos County was confirmed this week. The State Department of Health confirmed that a horse in Los Alamos County is sick with the virus. County officials also have heard unofficial reports from the public indicating that other horses are ill with the virus.

West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds. Humans are susceptible to the virus: 102 people in New Mexico have been diagnosed with the infection, 45 of them with encephalitis or meningitis. There also are more than 270 confirmed cases of equine West Nile Virus in New Mexico.

Mosquito season here will last another three to four weeks. "Usually the mosquitoes will disappear with the first frost," said Dr. Paul Ettestad, the Department's Public Health veterinarian. "Despite the cooler weather it is still important that people continue to take the recommended precautions until later in the fall."

"In people, West Nile Virus can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches," said C. Mack Sewell, state epidemiologist. "If someone feels they have the flu and are feeling sick, they should see their health care provider. The elderly are at most risk for serious disease from West Nile Virus." Additionally, children under the age of 6 and those with compromised immune systems also are at risk for infection.

People living and working in Los Alamos should take these simple steps to protect themselves and their horses from the virus, and to prevent its spread:

• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening;
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks whenever outdoors;
• Use insect repellent products with no more than 35 percent DEET for adults and follow the directions on the label for children from ages 2-12. Products containing soybean oil and eucalyptus oil also have been shown to be effective but need to be applied more often. Note: These products aren't appropriate for pets or horses;
• Keep windows and doors closed. If house doors or windows are left open, make sure they have screens that fit tightly and have no holes;
• Don't allow water to stand more than four days in old tires, flowerpots, trash containers, swimming pools, birdbaths, pet bowls and troughs;
• Mitigate pools of standing water on property by using Bti briquets. Bti is an effective mosquito larvacide that is otherwise harmless. Bti briquets are available at hardware stores and plant nurseries. The county Parks Division will provide free Bti care packets to those who find standing water that cannot otherwise be drained. The Parks Division can be contacted at 662-8159;
• Horse owners should contact their veterinarian to have horses vaccinated against West Nile Virus. The vaccine has proven very effective, but it takes two weeks from the second of two initial doses before the horse is considered protected;
• Lab personnel should watch for and mitigate standing water on Lab property.

For more information on West Nile Virus prevention, go to http://www.health.state.nm.us/wnv/ online.