Rare virus strikes in area

By The News Virginian Staff

Published: July 24, 2008

The Central Shenandoah Health District Thursday reported the first confirmed human case of La Crosse encephalitis in the district this season.
The health district is based in Staunton and also includes Waynesboro and Augusta County along with several other jurisdictions.
Central Shenandoah did not give the exact location of the case, but said it involved a young child who was hospitalized but has since recovered from the infection. Children under 16 years of age tend to be at risk for developing serious illness. In encephalitis, the brain swells and that can be life-threatening.
Only about 70 cases are reported in the United States annually. La Crosse encephalitis is caused by a virus that is spread through the bite of a particular species of mosquitoes. Both the Eastern treehole mosquito and Asian tiger mosquito are capable of spreading the virus.
Dr. Doug Larsen, Central Shenandoah health director, said the risks for mosquito-borne disease is now higher in Virginia.
“People can reduce their risk by eliminating mosquito breeding areas and protecting themselves from mosquito bites while outside,’’ Larsen said. He said the risk of mosquito-borne infections can vary with a person’s age.
The Virginia Department of Health recommends the following tips to reduce exposure to mosquitoes:
- Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing.
- Use insect repellent products with no more than 50 percent DEET for adults and 10-30 percent for children. Follow instructions when using insect repellents.
- Turn or remove containers in your yard where water collects, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets and toys.
- Eliminate standing water on tarps or flat roofs.
- Clean out birdbaths and wading pools once a week.
- Clean roof gutters and downspout screens regularly.