West Nile Virus Detected in Tuscaloosa, Hale, Jefferson and Lamar Counties

The following information was released by the Alabama Department of Public Health. It covers the vicinity that includes The University of Alabama campus.

The Alabama Department of Public Health announced a blue jay found dead in Tuscaloosa in the University of Alabama area, another near Greensboro in Hale County, one in Sulligent in Lamar County, one in Gardendale in Jefferson County last week, tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). Although these are the first WNV positive birds found in Tuscaloosa, Hale, Jefferson or Lamar County this year, a total of 45 other dead birds infected with the encephalitis virus have been found throughout the state in 2002.

Ongoing public health surveillance for the virus has detected no infections in horses or humans in Alabama to date. Positive results for West Nile virus were also found in southern house mosquitoes collected in traps in Enterprise.

WNV and other mosquito-borne viruses such as Eastern Equine encephalitis are transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird. Occasionally when bird hosts are scarce, the same mosquitoes will take blood from mammals, including humans and horses.

The southern house mosquito is commonly found in urban and suburban communities as well as rural areas. They will breed readily in storm sewers, ditches, waste lagoons and artificial containers around one’s home. Health officials said it is imperative that homeowners make a careful inspection around their homes to be sure nothing holds water for longer than three days.

Officials said 163 birds from 32 counties had been tested for WNV as of July 12. Mosquito surveillance will be increased with the detection of these positives. Some tests from other Alabama counties are pending.

“We are conducting surveillance of horses, birds, mosquitoes and humans to look for not only WNV, but other mosquito viruses that can be more of a public health threat,” said Ashley Lovell, a wildlife biologist with the United States Department of Agriculture.

According to Dr. Bill Johnston, state public health veterinarian, “Most people who are infected with WNV do not even get sick. However, a small proportion of people — mostly people over 60 — may become ill with symptoms of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and require hospitalization.”

“We are letting people know that this is something to be aware of,” said Donald Pugh, Director of Environmental Health for Public Health Area 3 which includes six counties in West Alabama. “The best thing people can do is to make sure they are not being bitten by mosquitoes.”

Pugh said virus surveillance has been conducted statewide for the past three years. Last year, Alabama experienced substantial Eastern Equine Encephalitis activity. Epidemiologists point out that EEE is much more dangerous to people and other mammals than WNV, but that the same mosquito prevention measures reduce exposures to both.

The health department will continue to notify local officials of test results and recommend methods of prevention. Since its introduction to the U.S. in 1999, WNV has tended to be easier to detect than other arthropod-borne viruses.

“Unlike other encephalitis viruses that maintain their cycle with wild birds, WNV kills many of the infected birds — especially crows, blue jays and raptors,” Pugh said. So dead bird testing can sometimes be a faster way to confirm virus activity in an area.

Public health officials are testing dead birds as one way to watch for the virus. People who find dead crows, blue jays or birds of prey should get them to their county health department or county extension agent. Since mosquitoes are commonly found throughout much of Alabama, health officials offer practical strategies for the mosquito season:

Personal Protection; Clothing and Aromatics

Wear loose fitting, light colored clothes to help prevent mosquitoes from reaching the skin and to retain less heat, making yourself less “attractive” to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors.

When possible, wear long sleeves and long pants.

Avoid perfumes, colognes, fragrant hair sprays, lotions and soaps,which attract mosquitoes.

Personal Protection; Repellents

Follow the label instructions when applying repellents. Permethrin repellents are only for clothes — not for application on the skin.

When using repellents avoid contact with eyes, lips and nasal membranes.

Use concentrations of less than 10 percent when applying DEET-containing products on children.

Apply DEET repellent on arms, legs, and other exposed areas, but never under clothing. After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.

Citronella candles and repellents containing citronella can help, but their range is limited. Herbals such as cedar, geranium, pennyroyal, lavender, cinnamon, and garlic are not very effective.

Personal Protection; Around the Home

Mosquito activity peaks at dusk and again at dawn; restrict outdoor activity during these hours.

Keep windows and door screens in good condition.

Replace porch lights with yellow light bulbs that will attract fewer insects.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water; empty all water from old tires, cans, jars, buckets, drums, plastic wading pools, toys, and other containers. Clean clogged gutters. Remove the rim from potted plants and replace water in plant/flower vases weekly.

Replenish pet watering dishes daily and rinse bird baths twice weekly.

Fill tree holes and depressions left by fallen trees with dirt or sand.

Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito fish or use larvicide “doughnuts.”

Donald R. Pugh, MPH
Director of Environmental Health
Public Health Area III
P. O. Box 70190
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35407
(205) 554-4514
dpugh@adph.state.al.us