FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 6, 2007
DHEC issues December update on S.C. mosquito-borne disease findings this season
COLUMBIA – Thus far in 2007’s mosquito season, there has been a statewide total of 57 lab confirmations of West Nile virus and two of eastern equine encephalitis virus, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.
“Of those 57 confirmations for WNV in South Carolina in 2007, five positive cases were in humans, but no West Nile human deaths have occurred so far this year,” said Chris Evans, a Ph.D. entomologist in DHEC’s Bureau of Laboratories. “Other WNV confirmations in the state include 47 mosquito pools, four birds and one horse. Eastern equine encephalitis, or Triple-E, virus was detected in two horses.
“Two human cases of West Nile fever occurred in August in Aiken and Newberry Counties,” Evans said. “Two human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease occurred in August in Lexington and Pickens counties and one case occurred in October in Charleston County, making a total of five non-fatal human cases so far this season.”
According to Evans, 47 WNV-positive mosquito pools have been detected this season. He said a mosquito pool is a group of mosquitoes of the same species collected from the same place on the same dates. The following pools in seven counties were confirmed between July 9 and Oct. 5: Aiken (14), Charleston (11), Clarendon (2), Darlington (14), Dorchester (3), Florence (2), and Richland (1).
He added that three WNV-positive birds were collected in Aiken County from August to September, along with one York County bird in late July. One Richland County horse had to be euthanized in early September after suffering from West Nile symptoms since mid-July, and two horses in Richland and Orangeburg counties were euthanized in August because of a Triple-E virus infection.
"Most adult mosquito species have died or become inactive in response to lowered temperatures and decreasing daylight," Evans said. "However, awareness and protection are recommended because some mosquito species are still active at temperatures above 50°F in areas of the state that have not received a hard frost yet, especially in coastal areas."
Evans also said that people can protect themselves from mosquito bites by:
- Using a repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow the label directions when using any repellent;
- Avoiding the outdoors at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active;
- Wearing long sleeves and pants; and
- Keeping property, including gutters, clear of standing water in which mosquitoes can breed.
For more information or assistance with mosquito control efforts, contact your city or county’s local mosquito control program. For more information on mosquito-borne disease, visit: http://www.scdhec.gov/westnile. For updated information about recommended mosquito repellants, visit the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm.
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REMINDER TO EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS:
- To update the media and the public about the status of WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases, monthly updates will be sent during the mosquito season to news media with information about statewide WNV surveillance.
- As they are confirmed, WNV positives will be posted to the WNV Web site at: www.scdhec.gov/westnile (then click on “S.C. Maps & Data” for updates about surveillance).
- We encourage reporters and editors to check the site regularly for updates, maps and charts.
- In case of human death from WNV, a statewide news release will be issued immediately upon lab confirmation of the cause of death as WNV.
For more information:
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov
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