Wednesday, August 28, 2002
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Wednesday, August 28, 2002 |
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Fayette on alert for West Nile virus By MONROE ROARK
Fayette County officials are stepping up their efforts to be on the lookout for the West Nile virus, since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently confirmed the first Georgia case involving a human. "We thought it was important to reemphasize the greater impact," said Richard Fehr of the Environmental Health Division of the Fayette County Health Department, after recent reports regarding the death of a metro Atlanta man from the virus. Health experts believe that, while there has not been a positive test result of the virus in Fayette, it is alive and well in Georgia and there is no indication it will leave in the immediate future, according to a Fayette County Health Department statement. Since West Nile is known to be carried and spread by mosquitoes, efforts to keep tabs on it were curtailed last winter when the cold weather drove mosquitoes out of the area. "That's when there's not a threat for humans to be infected," said Fehr. Georgia will likely have only a handful of human cases this year, and birds have tested positive in only a few of the state's 159 counties, the Health Department announced recently. Testing of dead birds is one of the best ways to see if the virus has spread. "Testing of birds is not free to the Georgia taxpayer in regards to lab costs, postage and staff time," according to the Health Department. "To conserve resources, scientifically appropriate testing is being, and will continue to be, done in Fayette County." Bird testing has been limited to crows, bluejays and birds of prey or raptors, such as owls and hawks. Those are the birds mostly likely to die from the West Nile virus, the Health Department said. Many people will respond to announcements about the virus by doing more spraying for mosquitoes, but Fehr cautions local residents to recognize the relatively low effectiveness of such a practice. "We want them to understand that there are some negatives," he said about widespread spraying for mosquitoes. "Spraying yourself if OK." Spraying is most common in coastal counties, and some is being done in Clayton County. But it only kills, under the best of circumstances, 1 percent of the mosquito population, Fehr said. Birds that have died within 24 hours and are in relatively good condition, with no evidence of physical trauma or decay, can be submitted to the testing lab at the University of Georgia in Athens. Anyone finding a dead crow, bluejay or bird of prey believed to be in the proper condition for testing should use a glove or shovel to place in a plastic bag, double-bag it and contact the Health Department. If there are multiple birds, wrap each one separately. Birds are shipped Monday through Friday. If found Friday evening, Saturday os Sunday, the bird must be refrigerated until Monday morning. The Fayette County Health Department is sensitive to the public's growing concern as awareness increases," according to a recent statement. "Concern should lead to caution and attention, not fear. Please remember that about 1,500 to 2,000 Georgians die in car crashes each year and therefore represent a much greater risk to an individual." Residents are also reminded to reduce mosquito breeding by eliminating standing water from around the home, and protect themselves from mosquitoes by wearing mosquito repellent, limiting outdoor activities at dusk and dawn, and wearing long pants, shoes and shirts when outdoors. For more information, contact the Fayette County Health Department at 770-460-5730, ext. 5415.
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