Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: September 24, 2003
Contact: Robert J. Marshall Jr., Ph.D. 401-222-1017

HEALTH Reports Human Case of West Nile Virus; High Risk Season Occurs Between August and the First Hard Frost

Today, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announced confirmation of the state’s second human case of West Nile Virus for 2003. The case of viral meningitis occurred in an adult female from Providence County who received medical care and has fully recovered. Exposure to a WNV-infected mosquito occurred sometime after August 25 with a 3 to 15 day period between exposure and onset of illness. The patient did not generally travel out of state during this time. Due to patient confidentiality, officials declined to release additional information about this case.

HEALTH received laboratory confirmation of West Nile Virus from the Department of Health Laboratory late on September 23, 2003. Confirmation of the disease as WNV does not materially affect the type of treatment a patient receives.

"Everyone, particularly the elderly who are most likely to become seriously ill, needs to take WNV prevention measures extra seriously," said Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director of the RI Department of Health. "We first detected WNV in birds during the summer of 2000. Since that time, DEM distributed larvicide to the cities and towns each year and together with HEALTH actively monitored for WNV in birds, mosquitoes and humans—finding our first human case in August 2002. Common-sense, personal protection is still the best and most effective way to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses."

Personal protection includes:

• Use bug repellent (30% DEET or less) regularly when outside (age 2 and over)
• Use cover-up clothing (long sleeves and pants) outside—especially at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes feed
• Use mosquito nets over baby carriages and playpens outside. Do not use insect repellent on infants
• Keep screen doors and windows in good repair

As of September 23, 2003, the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 4666 human cases of WNV with 88 deaths occurred nationwide during 2003. Onset of illness generally ranges from early July to the end of season, usually in late October or when the first hard frost occurs.

DEM will continue its intensified mosquito trapping and testing throughout the state. HEALTH already stepped up monitoring for other possible human cases with local hospitals and infectious disease experts. Officials do not plan to recommend insecticide spraying or restrictions on outdoor activities in the current situation. They will keep the public informed.

Human WNV happens only after a bite from an infected mosquito. It is not possible to get WNV directly from birds or from person to person contact. Most human cases of WNV are mild. Symptoms include fever, headache and body aches —occasionally with skin rash and swollen glands. More serious infections involve headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, and muscle weakness—progressing in the most severe cases to stupor, convulsions and coma. Rhode Islanders experiencing these symptoms, particularly following mosquito bites, should contact their personal health care providers. For general information about WNV in Rhode Island, the public may call the Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7434 or go to the HEALTH website at www.HEALTH.ri.gov