West Nile Press Release - July 28, 2003

For more information, contact:
Betty B. Braxton, Community Relations Director (704) 920-1345


The Cabarrus Health Alliance is reporting that a horse in the Old Airport Road vicinity of Cabarrus County has been confirmed positive for West Nile virus,
West Nile is a virus carried by mosquitoes that can cause illness in some people. People can get West Nile virus from the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile virus from feeding on wild birds infected with the virus. Mosquitoes can then transmit the virus to people or animals. There is currently no documented evidence of person to person or animal to person transmission of West Nile virus.

Most people who are infected with West Nile Virus suffer no symptoms at all. West Nile Virus may cause headache, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, and often a rash. In severe cases, it may cause an infection of the brain called “encephalitis”. People 50 years of age and older and those with health problems are most at risk for serious illness due to West Nile Virus.

Currently, there is no vaccine for West Nile Virus for people, but there is one for horses. If your equines are not currently vaccinated against WNV or EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis), the Health Alliance recommends you contact your local veterinarian for vaccine information.

Avoiding mosquito bites can greatly reduce your chances of becoming infected with West Nile Virus. To avoid bites:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Avoid areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes.
• Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk.
• Use repellents containing DEET (30% or less for adults, 10% of less for children) to prevent mosquito bites, carefully following the label instructions.
• Keep screens on windows and doors in good repair.
You can also protect yourself, your family, and your community for West Nile Virus and other illnesses carried by mosquitoes by helping to reduce mosquito-breeding sites as follows:
• Empty, destroy, recycle, or cover containers like tires, tin cans, buckets, and bottles that hold water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
• Change water in pet’s bowls and birdbaths at least once a week.
• Remove or empty dishes under potted plants.
• Stock ponds and ditches with native fish.
• Cover unused pools.
• Clean clogged rain gutters.
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
• Put special “donuts” made with mosquito-killing bacteria in water where mosquito eggs may hatch.
• Report areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes.

The Cabarrus Health Alliance will begin distributing public health notices to individuals in the area regarding West Nile Virus, and will continue monitoring reports of dead birds, specifically blue jays, hawks, crows, cardinals, and birds of prey. In addition, they will begin trapping and testing mosquitoes in Cabarrus County to determine the level of West Nile Virus and other mosquito borne viruses present in the community.

According to William F. Pilkington, Public Health Director, “We will monitor this very carefully, and will take additional steps to ensure the safety of the community.”
If you have questions or reports of dead birds, please call the Cabarrus Health Alliance Health Information Line at (704) 920-1334.

For additional updated information, log onto click here for more helpful West Nile Virus Information.