West Nile bites western Iowa with first confirmed case

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced Friday the first human case of West Nile virus disease in 2008 was confirmed in an adult female.

Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, IDPH medical director, said Monday because of privacy concerns the identity and exact location of the victim cannot be released.

Quinlisk said there have been a "handful" of other investigations throughout the state concerning possible West Nile infections, but this is the only case that has come up positive.

Because the virus has now been found in the state -- people need to be aware.

"If you are in Iowa right now, you are at risk so everyone needs to take precautions," Quinlisk said.

Because West Nile is spread via mosquitos, the No. 1 safety measure people can take is to prevent themselves from being bitten, Quinlisk said.

People can do that by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and therefore lowering the number of mosquitos. They can do this by geting rid of old tires and pails with standing water.

"Where you know you are going to have water (like birdbaths), replace it twice a week," she said.

Another precaution people can take is to avoid being outside at prime feeding times -- dawn and dusk.

If you are going to be out, "wear long sleeves and long pants and wear insect repellant that's been shown to work," Quinlisk said.

According to the IDPH website, there are several repellents including picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and DEET. The most highly effective are those containing DEET.

Quinlisk said it's important to remember the insect repellents are chemicals.

"Use the lowest level you can for what you're planning," she said.

The insect repellents should never be used on raw skin and concentration levels of DEET need to be monitored before they are used on children, Quinlisk said.

"Use them when you need them, wash them off when you go back in," she said.

Although it's imperative to take precautions against contracting West Nile, she also said about 80 percent of people infected will have no symptoms and will not get sick.

Another 20 percent of victims will have mild to moderate symptoms such as headache, body aches and vomiting, and less than 1 percent will become seriously ill, Quinlisk said.

"Anybody at any age can have any symptoms, but they are most common in older people," she said.

Because the virus is known to be harder on the elderly population, it's important to make sure older relatives are using the proper repellents and precautions, she said.

According to the IDPH, in the later summer months the number of mosquitos that can carry West Nile virus and other serious illnesses is increasing.

"Not every person exposed gets sick. The problem is that you never know if you are going to be the one to get very sick from it or the one who doesn't," Quinlisk said. "That's why everyone has to take precautions with it."