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Coincides with a surge in West Nile Virus activity within the mosquito population The Fairfax County Health Department has identified the first reported human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) disease in 2018. The patient, an adult resident of the Northeastern part of the county, was hospitalized and is recovering from the illness. This case coincides with a large increase in WNV infected mosquitoes across the county; an increase that has occurred earlier this summer compared with previous years. In recent years, when one human case occurs in an area, other cases often follow in the same part of the county. West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, said Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Director of Epidemiology and Population Health. With high levels of WNV in mosquitoes and the recent rains leading to even more mosquitoes, it’s important for residents of Fairfax County to take precautions to protect themselves and their families. The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to: Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, making sure to follow label instructions. Wear long pants and long sleeves to cover exposed skin. Avoid areas where mosquitoes are especially common during peak biting times, particularly at dawn and dusk. In addition to preventing mosquito bites, everyone should take steps to reduce breeding of mosquitoes on their property and in their community, said Pieter Sheehan, Director of Environmental Health. This includes tipping and tossing anything that holds water including old tires, buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, flowerpots, tarps, trash containers, downspout extensions and other containers. If you cannot get rid of the standing water, put larvicide, such as Mosquito Dunks, in the water to kill developing mosquitoes. Be sure to read the instructions on the label. You may request a mosquito inspection of your yard from the Health Department’s Disease Carrying Insects Program at 703-246-8931, TTY 711. WNV can affect a person’s nervous system. Many people get a mild form, experiencing fever, headache and muscle aches that can last days to weeks. While most people make a full recovery, severe cases of WNV can lead to meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis and even death. Recovery from severe WNV can take months or years. People at highest risk for serious WNV disease are adults 50-years-old or older and those whose immunity is suppressed because of a disease such as cancer or diabetes. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion and lethargy should seek medical attention right away. The Health Department uses an integrated approach to mosquito management to minimize the risk of human disease, including: Educating the public about ways to reduce their risk of WNV. Setting traps to collect, identify and test adult mosquitoes throughout the county from May through October. Investigating human cases of mosquito-borne disease. Responding to requests from homeowners for help with mosquitoes on their property. Performing routine mosquito inspections and treatments of stormwater ponds throughout the county. Conducting targeted adult mosquito control activities, such as applying insecticides, to protect public health. For more information on mosquito bite prevention, or to report a mosquito problem, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/fightthebite, call 703-246-8931, TTY 711, or email fightthebite@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Local health care providers learned how to integrate a food and parks prescription program into their practices to help their patients achieve better health at a conference hosted by the Fairfax County Health Department. The event, Rx for Life, was held on May 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfax and featured two of the leading experts on parks prescribing and food insecurity: Robert Zarr, MD, Founder and Medical Director for Parks Rx America, and Kofi Essel, MD, attending physician with the Children’s Health Center in Anacostia and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Robert Zarr, MD, Founder and Medical Director for Parks Rx America Dr. Zarr discussed how viewing and spending time in nature can improve mental and physical wellbeing by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and anxiety, and boosting attention and physical activity. His presentation made it easy for attendees to start prescribing nature to their patients in real time during routine office visits. Dr. Essel explained the use of a screening tool called Hunger Vital Signs to identify patients who experience food insecurity and recommend interventions to improve their nutrition, physical and mental health. One in six children in the U.S. lives in a food-insecure household, which means there is limited or uncertain access to enough food. His presentation showed attendees how to implement an Rx for Food program in their practice and connect patients to local food resources and programs. Kofi Essel, MD, Children’s Health Center Anacostia, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences “We need new approaches if we are going to reduce the burden of chronic disease in our communities, and the parks and food prescribing programs are just what the doctor ordered,” says Fairfax Health Director Gloria Addo-Ayensu, MD, the event sponsor. “We are so grateful to our expert panelists and to our local providers for making time for this important event.” Other panelists included: Kirk Kincannon, Executive Director of the Fairfax County Park Authority; Cindy Walsh, Resources Management Division Director with the Fairfax County Park Authority; Annie O’Neill, Outdoor Recreation Planner with the National Park Service; Matthew Scribner, Chief Technology Officer with Park Rx America; Terri Siggins, Project Manager for the Fairfax Food Council; Carmen Gill Bailey, Fairfax County Health Department School Health physician; Annie Turner, Executive Director of Food for Others; and Cecelia Vergaretti, Senior Director of NOVA Region Capital Area Food Bank. Attendees could earn Virginia Commonwealth University continuing medical education credits. For more information on prescribing parks, visit ParksRx. To learn about other community health initiatives in Fairfax County, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health.