- News Release Oregon Department of Human Services 10-1-3
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- Public health officials at the Oregon State Department
of Human Services (DHS) said today that a case of St. Louis encephalitis
has occurred in Oregon, the first in more than 30 years. Test results from
the state's public health laboratory confirm that a Jefferson County resident
was infected in late August 2003. He received medical treatment and is
recovering. Although he was in the wilderness in Central Oregon prior to
his illness, he has not traveled out of the area.
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- "St. Louis encephalitis [virus], like West Nile
virus, is spread by mosquitoes," said Emilio DeBess, DVM, state public
health veterinarian in the DHS. "The best way to avoid these illnesses
is to take steps to avoid being bitten and to reduce mosquito habitat around
your home." Neither St. Louis encephalitis [virus] nor West Nile virus
is spread through person-to-person contact. Both illnesses are transmitted
to humans by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. People cannot
contract either infection directly from birds or other animals, according
to DeBess.
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- "St. Louis encephalitis has symptoms similar to
those caused by West Nile virus infection. Mild infections often go undiagnosed,
with symptoms that include fever and headache," said DeBess. "Symptoms
of more severe infections include headache, high fever, neck stiffness,
and disorientation."
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- There is no treatment or vaccine available for St. Louis
encephalitis. People who become ill are treated with supportive care, according
to DeBess. Public health officials advise these preventive steps to avoid
mosquito bites: Eliminate all sources of standing water around your home
that can support mosquito breeding, such as gutters, bird baths and old
tires; avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active;
wear long pants, long sleeve shirts and other protective clothing when
you are outside; wear insect repellant, preferably one that contains DEET;
make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and repair or replace
those that have tears or holes.
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- "State and local public health officials, along
with health care providers, have been on heightened vigilance for West
Nile virus," said DeBess. "It's possible that this increased
attention may result in the detection of additional cases of St. Louis
encephalitis, because the symptoms are similar to those of West Nile virus
infection."
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- Between 1964 and 1998, there were 4478 confirmed cases
of St. Louis encephalitis in the United States and only two of those cases
were in Oregon, according to CDC data.
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- Ron J. Montgomery, Manager West Umatilla Vector Control
District Umatilla County, Oregon, USA mosquito@oregontrail.net
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- [Oregon is one of only four states still free of West
Nile virus infection. The detection of St Louis encephalitis virus, a similar
mosquito-borne flavivirus, for the first time in 30 years suggests that
Oergon's status as a West Nile virus-free zone is unlikely to survive much
longer. - Mod.CP]
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- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD Please visit my "Emerging
Diseases" message board at: http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa Go with God and in Good Health
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