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March 7, 2003 Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180 Technical contact: Emilio De Bess, DVM (503) 731-4024 State launches West Nile Virus public information line With West Nile Virus expected in Oregon within months, public health officials at the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) today launched a toll-free telephone information line, (866) 703-4636 or (866) 703-INFO. DHS established the statewide telephone line as one way to provide access to information about the virus to the public and physicians. Recorded topics include disease facts, symptoms, how to reduce the risk of infection and, for physicians, clinical information for diagnosing, treating and reporting a West Nile case. The messages are recorded in English and Spanish. Multnomah County residents can also call (503) 988-6453 or (503) 988-NILE for information, according to Chris Wirth, vector control supervisor at Multnomah County. Callers can choose from various recorded West Nile topic areas and, if they need still more information, can opt out for a live operator. Messages and assistance will be available in multiple languages. Health officials expect that West Nile Virus, already in 46 states, will be detected in Oregon this year. In other states, the arrival of West Nile Virus has resulted in much public concern, says Emilio DeBess, DVM, public health veterinarian in DHS. We want people to have access to information that provides basic facts about the disease, along with steps they can take to reduce their potential for being infected. DeBess advises that the most important prevention step people can take is to look around their homes and eliminate sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, such as clogged gutters, birdbaths and old tires. Just getting rid of standing water will decrease by 70 percent the possibility of getting infected with West Nile Virus, he says. Most West Nile Virus cases are mild, says DeBess. The infection can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, weakness, swollen glands and rash. Many people who are exposed never become sick. In rare cases, however, the virus can cause inflammation of the brain and result in serious illness or even death. West Nile Virus is an infection that lives in birds and is spread to humans by mosquitoes that have fed on an infected bird. It first appeared in the United States in 1999, in New York. Since then, it has spread steadily westward. Only four states, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Arizona, have not yet detected the virus. To date, 4,071 cases and 274 deaths have been reported. In addition to the toll-free line, DHS provides information about West Nile Virus on the Web. Multnomah County Health Department also has information on the Web. See West Nile Virus guest opinion by Grant Higginson, M.D. There is also a Spanish version of this news release. |
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