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West Nile confirmed in Lake County
Published September 17, 2005
By LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor
Indications that the West Nile virus is spreading throughout the region were reinforced Friday when a red-tailed hawk found in Lake County tested positive for the virus.
The bird was found by an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife employee near Lakeview and sent to Oregon State University Veterinarian Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. Confirmation of the virus was received Friday by the Oregon Department of Human Services and Lake County public health officials.
"We don't want people to focus on where the bird was found. They just need to realize it's here," said Mary Wilkie, a registered nurse who is also Lake County's public health administrator.
Wilkie and Emilio DeBess, Oregon's public health veterinarian, said the virus has been found in horses, birds and chickens in counties bordering Lake County.
"More than anything, it's information," DeBess said of the announcement. "It's a reminder for people to protect themselves. There's no alarm. I think we are seeing definitely more cases among horses, birds and chickens. That's just an indication it (the virus) has established itself."
DeBess said people should be especially careful to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Key prevention steps include:
n Make sure screen doors and windows fit tightly. Replace or repair screens with tears or holes.
n Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts and other protective clothing when outside.
n Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, such as clogged gutters, birdbaths and old tires.
n Avoid playing or working outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
n Use repellent, especially those that contain DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow label directions. Never apply DEET directly to children, or on children's hands. Apply repellent first to your own hands, then to the child. Do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus on children under age 3.
West Nile virus was first reported in Oregon last year.
The Department of Human Services has a toll-free West Nile virus information line in English and Spanish at (866) 703-4636. Information is also available at the department's Web site at www.oregon.gov/DHS/ ph/acd/diseases/wnile/wnile.shtml.
By LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor
Indications that the West Nile virus is spreading throughout the region were reinforced Friday when a red-tailed hawk found in Lake County tested positive for the virus.
The bird was found by an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife employee near Lakeview and sent to Oregon State University Veterinarian Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. Confirmation of the virus was received Friday by the Oregon Department of Human Services and Lake County public health officials.
"We don't want people to focus on where the bird was found. They just need to realize it's here," said Mary Wilkie, a registered nurse who is also Lake County's public health administrator.
Wilkie and Emilio DeBess, Oregon's public health veterinarian, said the virus has been found in horses, birds and chickens in counties bordering Lake County.
"More than anything, it's information," DeBess said of the announcement. "It's a reminder for people to protect themselves. There's no alarm. I think we are seeing definitely more cases among horses, birds and chickens. That's just an indication it (the virus) has established itself."
DeBess said people should be especially careful to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Key prevention steps include:
n Make sure screen doors and windows fit tightly. Replace or repair screens with tears or holes.
n Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts and other protective clothing when outside.
n Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, such as clogged gutters, birdbaths and old tires.
n Avoid playing or working outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
n Use repellent, especially those that contain DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow label directions. Never apply DEET directly to children, or on children's hands. Apply repellent first to your own hands, then to the child. Do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus on children under age 3.
West Nile virus was first reported in Oregon last year.
The Department of Human Services has a toll-free West Nile virus information line in English and Spanish at (866) 703-4636. Information is also available at the department's Web site at www.oregon.gov/DHS/ ph/acd/diseases/wnile/wnile.shtml.
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Kaylah wrote on Dec 19, 2007 3:21 PM:
" this was my grandmother, i am one of her many grandchildren and boy oh boy do i miss her. i was looking back throught the herald and news and i am suprised i found this article. it nice to save the news papers every year for some people to pull memories off the web. thank you "
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Sarah Ritch wrote on Jun 18, 2008 10:47 AM:
She made my ribbon dresses and helped to teach me how to fancy dance.
-Sarah Ritch(Garcia) "