From: Angela Parsons [mailto:parsonsa@ewashtenaw.org]
Sent:Saturday, June 19, 2010 8:14 AM
Subject: West Nile Virus Prevention in Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County Local Units of Government Leader:
The mosquitoes have arrived!
Michigan and Washtenaw County have experienced human, horse, or bird cases of West Nile virus (WNV) every year since 2001. From what we know, WNV is probably here to stay. For that reason, the Washtenaw County Public Health Department is recommending continued vigilance, with an emphasis on personal responsibility. Residents should use personal protection during outdoor activities, eliminate standing water around their homes, repair broken screens, and take other actions to prevent infection. We are further recommending that municipalities begin or continue larviciding activities where budgets allow. We do know that larviciding of catch basins has been effective in reducing the Culex species of mosquitoes, believed to be the primary vector for WNV.
The County is taking a number of steps to help in the detection and prevention of WNV:
- West Nile Virus Hotline: The hotline (734-544-6750) will be available to answer questions regarding WNV and to accept reports of dead birds. However, Washtenaw County will not be testing dead birds for West Nile virus this year.
- Dead Bird Reporting: Since studies suggest dead birds are valuable in predicting the onset of human WNV cases, the County will continue collecting reports of dead birds and looking for clusters. Citizens are encouraged to report dead birds to the local hotline, or to the State of Michigan website www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases. We will notify Local Units of Government when clusters occur, and will assist in making recommendations for targeting educational information and/or initiating additional mosquito control measures.
- Human Surveillance: We will continue to encourage testing for WNV in suspected human cases, and will conduct surveillance of human cases. Any confirmed cases will be reported to the Local Units of Government.
- Horse Surveillance: We will continue to encourage veterinarians and horse owners to vaccinate horses for WNV. We will also encourage testing for WNV in suspected cases, and will conduct surveillance of equine cases. Any confirmed cases will be reported to the Local Units of Government.
- Educational Outreach: Our website http://westnile.ewashtenaw.org will have information on WNV as well as links to state and national websites. In addition, educational materials will be available through the hotline and our website. Feel free to copy and distribute these materials as you see fit.
Enclosed with this email is a press release we sent out to media contacts announcing the start of the West Nile virus season, an executive summary of last year’s surveillance and control efforts, and educational materials you may copy for distribution to your constituents.
Please feel free to contact the West Nile virus hotline at 734-544-6750 for any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Richard M. Fleece, RS
Public Health Officer
Environmental Health Director
Department of Public Health
Diana Torres-Burgos, MD, MPH
Medical Director
Department of Public Health
Attachments:
6.9.10 WNV Press Release.pdf
2009 WNV Executive Summary.pdf
WNV Fact Sheet.pdf
Standing Water Sites.pdf
WNV Flyer.pdf