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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2007

CONTACT

Marla Augustine, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-4047, or marla.augustine@dhhs.ne.gov

Sound bites on this topic are available at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/audio/.

Lincoln—Fifteen new cases of West Nile virus have been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services since last week. That brings the total number of cases reported so far this year to 113. There have been three deaths.

Cuming has been added to the list of counties reporting cases of the disease. The counties that have previously reported cases are: Adams, Antelope, Boone, Box Butte, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cedar, Clay, Dawes, Dawson, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Dundy, Furnas, Gage, Garden, Grant, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Keith, Knox, Lancaster, Lincoln, Madison, Merrick, Morrill, Perkins, Phelps, Platte, Richardson, Rock, Sarpy, Saunders, Scotts Bluff, Seward, Sheridan, Thayer, Thomas, Valley, Washington and Webster. That makes 45 out of Nebraska’s 93 counties with reported West Nile cases.

West Nile is spread by the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird.

"Mosquitoes will be biting until the first hard freeze," said Dr. Annette Bredthauer, the state’s public health veterinarian. "Until then, it’s a good idea to take precautions."

DHHS recommends:

• Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus;
• Wear long-sleeved shirt, pants and socks;
• Avoid going out at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; and
• Eliminate standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.

There were 264 human cases of the disease reported last year, with two deaths. This compares to 188 in 2005 (five deaths), 57 in 2004 (no deaths), 2,366 in 2003 (29 deaths) and 174 in 2002 (eight deaths). There were no cases prior to 2002, the year the disease found its way to Nebraska from the East Coast.

Most people who are infected by a mosquito have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms. Less than one out of 150 people who get bitten by an infected mosquito and become infected will get seriously ill. However, people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease and are more likely to experience serious consequences.

West Nile fever includes flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle weakness. Symptoms of the more serious West Nile encephalitis include inflammation of the brain, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis.

More information can be found on the DHHS Web site at www.dhhs.ne.gov

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