Dateline: 08/09/02

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released an additional $10 million in funds to help states strengthen their efforts to combat West Nile virus, which has now claimed five lives.

"We continue working closely with state and local health departments to support their efforts to protect people from West Nile virus," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. "These funds will give states added capacity to monitor the spread of West Nile virus and to further enhance their capabilities to protect their citizens."

According to Arbonet, the computerized national system for tracking West Nile virus, five states have now reported an confirmed a total of 113 human cases of West Nile virus. As of August 8, 2002, Louisiana reports 71 cases; Mississippi, 28; Texas is reporting 12; Illinois has one case; and Alabama has one case. Five deaths have occurred, all in Louisiana.

As they requested, the hardest-hit states of Louisiana and Mississippi will receive $3.4 million and $300,000, respectively, to supplement their local efforts to slow the spread of the disease and to protect their citizens. Affected states requesting additional funding will have access to the remaining money.

Prior to Thursday's announcement, CDC had provided $17 million to 49 states and six cities for prevention and control measures related to West Nile virus. The additional funding brings the total support from CDC to states and cities for combating the spread of the West Nile virus to more than $27 million during 2002 alone.

CDC Expects West Nile Virus to Spread
"We anticipate that West Nile virus will expand into new areas of the United States as a result of the natural migratory patterns of birds," said Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC. "Among the weapons against West Nile virus are easy, practical steps that individuals can take to reduce their chances for exposure," Gerberding said.

Recommendations to Prevent Disease
CDC recommends that people take the following steps to prevent West Nile virus:

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when you're outdoors. For more information see Using Insect Repellent Safely from the EPA. Learn what you need to know about repellents, insecticides, and more.
  
  
• Avoid applying repellent to children less than 2 years old. 
  
  
• Use care in applying repellent to small children, and don't put repellent on their hands because it may get into their mouth or eyes and cause irritation.
  
  
• Read and follow the product directions whenever you use insect repellent.
  
  
• Wear long-sleeved clothes and long pants treated with repellent will further reduce your risk, as will staying indoors during peak mosquito feeding hours (dusk until dawn).
  
  
• Limit the number of places available for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by eliminating standing water sources from around your home.
  
  
• Check to see if there is an organized mosquito control program in your area. If no program exists, work with your local government officials to establish a program. The American Mosquito Control Association can provide advice, and their book Organization for Mosquito Control is a useful reference.

West Nile Virus Hotlines
CDC has set up public hotlines for questions concerning West Nile virus. The English number is 1-888-246-2675; the Spanish hotline is 1-888-246-2857, and the number for the hearing-impaired hotline is 1-866-874-2646.