September 6, 2007
Death Toll Due to West Nile Virus Climbs to Four
State health officials on Thursday confirmed the recent deaths of two Eastern Montana residents due to West Nile virus, bringing the total human death toll so far this year to four.
That equals the number of deaths in 2003, which was the worst West Nile season on record in Montana, according to Elton Mosher, disease tracking specialist with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
The latest victims were a 72-year-old woman from Dawson County and a 59-year-old man from Sheridan County. Each died in a Billings hospital at the end of last week.
A 77-year-old Chouteau County man died earlier this week, while a 93-year-old Cascade County woman died last month. As of Thursday, 69 human cases of West Nile illness had been reported in Montana this year, Mosher said, compared to a total of 228 in 2003. The first documented case in Montana occurred in 2002.
“These losses are a tragic reminder that West Nile virus can sometimes be a killer,” said Bonnie Barnard, an epidemiologist with DPHHS. “We really encourage Montanans to do all they can to avoid mosquito bites. The chances of dying of West Nile are extremely small, but why take the risk?”
Mosquitoes transmit the West Nile virus from animals to humans through their bite. Although most people infected with the virus experience mild if any symptoms, it can in very rare cases cause serious neurological problems like meningitis or encephalitis.
Barnard noted that September with its crisp, sunny weather is usually a popular month in Montana for outdoor enthusiasts.
“We’re heading into fall harvest season, so farmers are going to be out for long hours in their fields,” she said. “Hunting season is going to be drawing people outdoors, too. The more time you spend outdoors the more chance you have of being bitten by an infected mosquito, so we hope everyone will take precautions against West Nile as they enjoy our beautiful fall weather.”
People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites, she said.
To help prevent infection with West Nile virus, Barnard recommended that Montanans:
- Stay indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active;
- If you must be outside, wear long sleeves and long pants;
- Use an insect repellent containing DEET;
- Repair holes in door and window screens to keep mosquitoes out of the home; and
- Eliminate mosquito breeding habitat by regularly draining standing water from birdbaths, pet dishes, wading pools, stock tanks, and other containers outside your home.
