DHSS Press Release

FIRST HUMAN WEST NILE FATALITY IN DELAWARE

An 87-year-old Sussex County resident was the first Delawarean to die from West Nile virus Oct. 1. The individual was hospitalized Sept. 23. Delaware's Public Health Laboratory identified that the individual was infected with West Nile virus Sept. 30. A New Castle County resident was also confirmed to have West Nile virus and tested positive Sept. 20, bringing the total number of Delaware human West Nile cases to 10.

Eight other Delawareans were confirmed positive for West Nile virus in 2003. Five of the residents live in New Castle County, with the remaining three from Kent County. Last October, a Kent County man was diagnosed as the state's first human West Nile virus case.

West Nile virus first appeared in Delaware birds and horses in 2000. In 2002, 214 wild birds tested positive for the disease in Delaware, as did 24 horses and six mosquito pool samples. As of Oct. 3, 2003, the Delaware Public Health Laboratory identified West Nile virus in 108 wild birds, 21 sentinel chickens and 62 horses. In Sussex County, West Nile virus was identified this year in horses from Georgetown, Selbyville and Lewes, and in wild birds from Milford, Milton, Lewes and Bethany Beach.

West Nile virus is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Humans infected with West Nile virus typically have only mild symptoms similar to a mild flu, if they show any signs at all. Rarely do humans infected with the disease experience sudden onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, confusion and muscle weakness. Individuals with these symptoms should see their physician immediately.

As of Oct. 3, 2003, 5,921 human cases have been reported nationwide and 119 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2002, 4156 cases and 284 deaths were reported.

Residents are advised to take common-sense precautions against insect bites. This includes wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors, applying insect repellent containing 50 percent or less DEET for adults and 30 percent or less DEET for children, and avoiding mosquito-infested areas or times of peak mosquito activity around dusk, dawn or throughout the evening. To reduce mosquito breeding, people should drain or remove items that collect water, such as buckets, birdbaths, rain barrels, old tires, blocked rain gutters and unused swimming pools.

For questions about WNV in humans, and to report suspected human cases, call DPH at 888-295-5156. To report sick or dead wild birds, call Mosquito Control between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in New Castle County at (302) 323-4492, and in Kent or Sussex counties, call (302) 422-1512. For questions about animal health, call the Department of Agriculture at 1-800-282-8685 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or leave a message after-hours.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.