First Human Case of West Nile Virus

Fairfax County Reports First Human Case of West Nile Virus in 2007

July 11, 2007

The Fairfax County Health Department today announced the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this year in Virginia. The case involves a 72-year-old resident from the Springfield district. Laboratory samples of the patient were confirmed July 10 by the state’s Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in Richmond. Last year, Fairfax County reported three human cases.

Humans contract West Nile virus most often from the bite of an infected mosquito; but most people bitten by infected mosquitoes do not get sick. Those who do get sick from WNV usually suffer a mild flu-like illness and recover without treatment. In few people, most often older than 50 years of age, WNV can cause serious illness such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Only supportive treatment is available for more serious cases.

“This case serves as an important reminder that West Nile virus is still a threat in Fairfax County,” said Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H., Fairfax County health director. “It is vitally important for people to eliminate mosquito breeding areas around their homes and protect themselves against mosquito bites using a mosquito repellent.”

“This human case has occurred earlier this year, as compared to all human West Nile virus cases in past years,” said Jorge Arias, Ph.D., supervisor for the county’s Disease Carrying Insects Program.

The Fairfax County Health Department’s Environmental Health staff are taking a proactive approach to combating West Nile virus by treating more than 30,000 storm drains with an environmentally-friendly larvicide which inhibits mosquito breeding. More storm drain treatments are scheduled throughout the mosquito season, which typically runs from May until October. While these treatments will not eliminate all of the mosquitoes that carry the virus, the mosquito population may be reduced.

The Health Department recommends the following tips to reduce exposure to mosquitoes:

-Use insect repellent with the smallest percentage of DEET necessary for the length of time you are exposed to mosquitoes, but no more than 30 percent. Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus may also be used according to label instructions.

-Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing outdoors.

-Turn over 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 corrugated drain pipes regularly.

-Fairfax County has an active outreach and education program and staff are aggressively promoting the mosquito management campaign,

“Fight the Bite: Say NO to MOsquitoes.” Educational materials in seven languages – English, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese – are included in the campaign, and can be downloaded from the “Fight the Bite” Web page.

For More Information

Residents may call the Health Department's Disease Carrying Insects Program at 703-246-2300, TTY 703-591-6435, or visit their Web page.