Department Of Health Announces Four More Human West Nile Cases

SANTA FE, N.M.- The New Mexico Department of Health announced Friday that four more New Mexicans have been diagnosed with West Nile virus infection.

The new cases include a 53-year-old woman from Bernalillo County , a 45-year-old woman from Doa Ana County , a 42-year-old woman from Rio Arriba County and a 38-year-old man from Socorro County .

The woman from Bernalillo County is hospitalized with encephalitis. She was most likely exposed to infected mosquitoes while camping in Colorado . The other three people had the less severe West Nile fever and are recovering at home.

There have been 10 human cases of West Nile virus in New Mexico so far this year. The first six cases this year were in a 57-year-old woman from Chaves County , a 66-year-old man from Doa Ana County , a 60-year-old woman from San Juan County , a 15-year-old girl from Roosevelt County , a 40-year-old man from San Juan County and a 59-year-old woman from Bernalillo County . Other West Nile virus activity this year includes positive horses from Eddy, Socorro, and Mora counties and positive mosquitoes from San Juan , Bernalillo, Cibola , Luna and Doa Ana counties.

“New Mexico is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities, but everyone needs to be aware that mosquito bites can lead to illness,” said the Department of Health’s State Epidemiologist C. Mack Sewell. “The virus is one of the few diseases where people can take a few simple precautions, like using a repellent when outdoors, and be protected.”

To avoid West Nile infection:

Use insect repellent on exposed skin when you go outdoors. Products containing DEET or Picaridin can provide long-lasting protection. Use products with no more than 35 percent DEET for adults and follow the directions on the label for children from ages 2-12. Natural products containing soybean oil or oil of lemon eucalyptus have also been shown to be effective but need to be applied more often.

When weather permits, wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, so use an EPA-registered repellent on your clothing. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times. Keep windows and doors closed if not screened. If you leave your house doors or windows open, make sure they have screens that fit tightly and have no holes. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Empty water from containers such as old tires, flowerpots and trash receptacles. Circulate water in swimming pools, and change water regularly in birdbaths and pet bowls. Vaccinate your horses against West Nile virus, as well as Western Equine Encephalitis, which is also carried by mosquitoes. Do not use insect repellent on cats and dogs. So far, both have been resistant to the virus.

Common West Nile symptoms are fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. In rare cases, West Nile Virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis. If someone has these symptoms, they should see their health care provider. People older than 50 are at most risk for serious disease from West Nile Virus.

Both meningitis and encephalitis can be fatal, especially in the elderly. However, most people who become infected have either no symptoms or have only mild symptoms, and less than 1 percent of all people infected, including those who have no symptoms and have not been tested, develop meningitis or encephalitis. Meningitis is an infection of the lining around the brain, while encephalitis is an infection of the brain itself.

In 2006, New Mexico had eight cases of West Nile with one fatality. New Mexico had 33 cases with two fatalities in 2005, 88 cases with four fatalities in 2004 and 209 cases with four fatalities in 2003.

For more information about West Nile , call 827-0006 or look up the Department of Health’s website.