August 14, 2008 (Yakima, WA)— The Yakima Health District (YHD) received word late Wednesday afternoon
that mosquitoes trapped within the greater Yakima area have tested positive for West Nile Virus. The pool of
Culex pipiens mosquitoes was collected north of the gap (Ahtanum Ridge) on August 6, 2008 by the Yakima
Health District, in partnership with Mosquito Control District No.1. Three new mosquito pools trapped by the
Benton County Mosquito Control District have also tested positive. This brings the year-to-date total for Yakima
County to 8 positive mosquito pools and 3 positive horses.
“We’re seeing a greater number of environmental positives earlier in the mosquito season this year,” says Laura
Charters, Environmental Health Specialist with the Yakima Health District. “We’re also seeing an increase in the
number of complaints regarding mosquitoes from many parts of the county.”
The first line of defense against West Nile virus is to eliminate standing water that mosquitoes breed in.
Anything that can hold water can become a mosquito breeding ground in less than a week, so people should
check their property regularly, as well as change water in pet bowls, animal troughs and bird baths at least once
weekly. The second step is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Screen windows and doors that remain open
for ventilation. When possible, avoid being outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
People should also cover their skin by wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks, and shoes. Mosquito
repellants containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 are safe and effective against
mosquitoes when used according to label instructions.
“We haven’t had any human cases yet, but 11 positive mosquito pools and horses in the span of one month
definitely emphasizes the importance of continued prevention efforts across the Yakima Valley and region,”
Charters adds.
Symptoms of mild West Nile Virus illness include fever, headache, body aches, rash, and swollen lymph
glands. A more serious form of WNV disease produces symptoms such as neck stiffness, disorientation,
coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms
should consult their medical provider, especially if there is a recent history of mosquito bites. The very young
and the elderly are most susceptible to the more serious form of WNV illness.
As a reminder, owners are urged to vaccinate their horses against WNV. Previously-vaccinated animals also
need yearly boosters. Even horses a few months old can be vaccinated against WNV. Please talk to your
veterinarian about available equine WNV vaccines.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2008
CONTACT: Erik Khambatta, EHS (360) 249-4413
Harmful Algae Bloom – Cohassett Lake a.k.a. Woods Lake
The Grays Harbor County Division of Environmental Health and the Washington State Department of Ecology is advising the public of a harmful algae bloom in Cohassett Lake, also known as Woods Lake or sometimes referred to as Fake Lake.
After recently being alerted to the bloom, a water sample was collected and submitted to the King County Environmental Laboratories. The water was found to have elevated levels of microcystin, a cyanobacterial toxin which poses a health concern to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife. Officials will continue to monitor the status of the bloom and collect additional samples until the bloom has dissipated.
Until the collected samples have indicated that the water is safe, officials are advising that the public avoid contact with water containing the algae and to keep pets away from the water.
August 12, 2008
CONTACT: Erik Khambatta, EHS (360) 249-4413
Harmful Algae Bloom – Cohassett Lake a.k.a. Woods Lake
The Grays Harbor County Division of Environmental Health and the Washington State Department of Ecology is advising the public of a harmful algae bloom in Cohassett Lake, also known as Woods Lake or sometimes referred to as Fake Lake.
After recently being alerted to the bloom, a water sample was collected and submitted to the King County Environmental Laboratories. The water was found to have elevated levels of microcystin, a cyanobacterial toxin which poses a health concern to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife. Officials will continue to monitor the status of the bloom and collect additional samples until the bloom has dissipated.
Until the collected samples have indicated that the water is safe, officials are advising that the public avoid contact with water containing the algae and to keep pets away from the water.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Disposal of Unwanted Prescritpion Drugs
The Office of National Drug Control Policy has issued new guidelines for the proper disposal of prescription drugs. These guidelines, as outlined below, move us away from advice to flush these products down the toilet or sink and instead focus on disposal through the solid waste system. The new guidelines are as follows:
1) Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers.
2) Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, further ensuring that the drugs are not diverted or accidentally ingested by children or pets.
3) Throw these containers in the trash.
4) Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the accompanying patient information specifically instructs it is safe to do so.
5) Return unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs to pharmaceutical take-back locations that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for safe disposal.
Pharmaceutical take-back programs are currently very limited and there are barriers that exist to expand these programs in very broad ways. We will continue to work both within the state and nationally to explore ways to overcome existing barriers and expand these take-back programs, which ultimately seem to be provide a more responsible way to dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals.
Note: Patients should always refer to printed material accompanying their medication for specific instructions.
http://www.medicinereturn.com/
1) Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers.
2) Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, further ensuring that the drugs are not diverted or accidentally ingested by children or pets.
3) Throw these containers in the trash.
4) Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the accompanying patient information specifically instructs it is safe to do so.
5) Return unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs to pharmaceutical take-back locations that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for safe disposal.
Pharmaceutical take-back programs are currently very limited and there are barriers that exist to expand these programs in very broad ways. We will continue to work both within the state and nationally to explore ways to overcome existing barriers and expand these take-back programs, which ultimately seem to be provide a more responsible way to dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals.
Note: Patients should always refer to printed material accompanying their medication for specific instructions.
http://www.medicinereturn.com/
Friday, August 1, 2008
West Nile virus found in Moses Lake and Prosser area horses—first cases in 2008
OLYMPIA – West Nile virus (WNV), a potentially fatal disease in equines, has been confirmed in two horses, one in Moses Lake and the other in the Prosser area, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) announced today.
These are the first confirmed cases this year of horses contracting West Nile virus in Washington. Last year, eight horses were confirmed for the disease, all in Yakima County.
Washington State University’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman reported the positive test results to WSDA today.
The 24-year-old gelding quarter horse in Moses Lake appears to be recovering. The Prosser horse, a five-year-old quarter horse mare, has been euthanized. Neither horse was vaccinated for WNV.“The best way to protect a horse from West Nile infection is vaccination,” said Dr. Leonard Eldridge, state veterinarian. “Horse owners with concerns should contact their veterinarian for information on vaccines and annual booster shots.”Eldridge also recommended that horse owners take measures to reduce mosquito populations by removing standing water from yards and barns and changing water in troughs or bird baths that could be a source of mosquito breeding.West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and other animals.
Humans cannot contract WNV through contact with an infected horse. Infected horses do not spread the disease to other horses or animals.
Mosquitoes become carriers when they feed on an infected bird. Horses that contract WNV may show signs such as loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, stiffness and muscle weakness, particularly in the hindquarters. Many horses and other animals contracting WNV do not become ill and show no symptoms at all.
About one-third of horses that become ill die.Veterinarians and horse owners should report potential cases of West Nile virus in horses by calling the State Veterinarian’s Office at (360) 902-1878.
More WNV information is available on the following Web sites:
• Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/WNV
• Washington State University: www.wnv.wsu.edu
• Department of Agriculture: www.agr.wa.gov Go to the Animal Health section after clicking on “Food and Animals.”
These are the first confirmed cases this year of horses contracting West Nile virus in Washington. Last year, eight horses were confirmed for the disease, all in Yakima County.
Washington State University’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman reported the positive test results to WSDA today.
The 24-year-old gelding quarter horse in Moses Lake appears to be recovering. The Prosser horse, a five-year-old quarter horse mare, has been euthanized. Neither horse was vaccinated for WNV.“The best way to protect a horse from West Nile infection is vaccination,” said Dr. Leonard Eldridge, state veterinarian. “Horse owners with concerns should contact their veterinarian for information on vaccines and annual booster shots.”Eldridge also recommended that horse owners take measures to reduce mosquito populations by removing standing water from yards and barns and changing water in troughs or bird baths that could be a source of mosquito breeding.West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and other animals.
Humans cannot contract WNV through contact with an infected horse. Infected horses do not spread the disease to other horses or animals.
Mosquitoes become carriers when they feed on an infected bird. Horses that contract WNV may show signs such as loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, stiffness and muscle weakness, particularly in the hindquarters. Many horses and other animals contracting WNV do not become ill and show no symptoms at all.
About one-third of horses that become ill die.Veterinarians and horse owners should report potential cases of West Nile virus in horses by calling the State Veterinarian’s Office at (360) 902-1878.
More WNV information is available on the following Web sites:
• Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/WNV
• Washington State University: www.wnv.wsu.edu
• Department of Agriculture: www.agr.wa.gov Go to the Animal Health section after clicking on “Food and Animals.”
TOXIC BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOMS
In 2005, the Washington State Legislature established funding for an algae control program and asked the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) to develop the program. Reducing nutrient input to lakes is the only long-term solution to prevent algae blooms. However the amount of money available for this program (about $250,000 per year) is not enough to fund comprehensive lake-wide and watershed-wide nutrient reduction projects. Instead the program focuses on providing local governments with the tools they need to manage algae problems. The program targets blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) because these algae pose a health risk to humans, pets, and livestock.
The Grays Harbor County Division of Environmental Health is asking area residents to contact our office if potential harmful algae blooms are found in local freshwater bodies; please call (360) 249-4413. Upon discovery of potential harmful blooms field staff will collect samples and send them to Ecology for toxicity testing.
What is an Algae Bloom?
Many Washington lakes and even some rivers have problems with excessive growth of algae. Algae can be smelly and unsightly as well as being toxic to humans, pets, and livestock. Algae grow rapidly when sunlight, temperature, and nutrients are adequate. Within only a few days, a clear lake can become cloudy with algae. When an algal species reproduces rapidly and reaches high concentrations, it is called an algae bloom. The nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen are found in animal and human waste (sewage), in fertilizers, and even in rainwater. Too much phosphorus and nitrogen lead to nutrient rich water bodies. Nutrient-enrichment leads to algae blooms.
There are many types of algae. Most are harmless, some are considered nuisances, and others are important to lake productivity. Blue-green algae are actually bacteria called cyanobacteria. They can create problems when they form blooms. The blooms happen mostly in the summer or fall, but can occur anytime. Blue-green blooms may float to the surface and can be several inches thick near the shoreline. A blue-green algae bloom often looks like green paint floating on the water and is hard to pick up or hold.
Why is Ecology particularly concerned about blue-green algae?
Blue-green algae blooms pose a human health concern and have killed pets and livestock. Although most blue-green blooms are not toxic, some blue-green algae produce nervous system or liver toxins. Toxicity is hard to predict. A single species of algae can have toxic and non-toxic strains. A bloom that tests non-toxic one day can become toxic the next day.
People may become ill after swimming or water skiing in lakes with toxic blue-green algae. Human health effects may include stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and nerve and liver damage. Pets and wildlife have died after exposure to toxic blue-green algae in Washington lakes. Blue-green blooms affect lake recreation creating economic losses.
The Grays Harbor County Division of Environmental Health is asking area residents to contact our office if potential harmful algae blooms are found in local freshwater bodies; please call (360) 249-4413. Upon discovery of potential harmful blooms field staff will collect samples and send them to Ecology for toxicity testing.
What is an Algae Bloom?
Many Washington lakes and even some rivers have problems with excessive growth of algae. Algae can be smelly and unsightly as well as being toxic to humans, pets, and livestock. Algae grow rapidly when sunlight, temperature, and nutrients are adequate. Within only a few days, a clear lake can become cloudy with algae. When an algal species reproduces rapidly and reaches high concentrations, it is called an algae bloom. The nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen are found in animal and human waste (sewage), in fertilizers, and even in rainwater. Too much phosphorus and nitrogen lead to nutrient rich water bodies. Nutrient-enrichment leads to algae blooms.
There are many types of algae. Most are harmless, some are considered nuisances, and others are important to lake productivity. Blue-green algae are actually bacteria called cyanobacteria. They can create problems when they form blooms. The blooms happen mostly in the summer or fall, but can occur anytime. Blue-green blooms may float to the surface and can be several inches thick near the shoreline. A blue-green algae bloom often looks like green paint floating on the water and is hard to pick up or hold.
Why is Ecology particularly concerned about blue-green algae?
Blue-green algae blooms pose a human health concern and have killed pets and livestock. Although most blue-green blooms are not toxic, some blue-green algae produce nervous system or liver toxins. Toxicity is hard to predict. A single species of algae can have toxic and non-toxic strains. A bloom that tests non-toxic one day can become toxic the next day.
People may become ill after swimming or water skiing in lakes with toxic blue-green algae. Human health effects may include stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and nerve and liver damage. Pets and wildlife have died after exposure to toxic blue-green algae in Washington lakes. Blue-green blooms affect lake recreation creating economic losses.
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