First human case of West Nile confirmed in Pinal County

Pinal County health officials said that an adult man in the Coolidge area is the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in the County for 2005. The Division of Public Health stressed the infected individual does not pose a health threat to other people.

“West Nile virus is not spread from person to person or between animals and people,” said Public Health Division Director Tom Schryer. “People who catch WNV catch it from the bite of an infected mosquito.”

Pinal County health officials continue to actively conduct mosquito sampling and dead bird surveillance activities as well as human and horse surveillance activities to detect the presence of the virus. In mid July, a horse in the Queen Creek area was confirmed with West Nile virus. Earlier this month, a mosquito sample collected in the Toltec Buttes area tested positive for West Nile virus, bringing the total number of WNV positive mosquito samples to 19 so far this season.

Schryer said that this WNV activity should serve as a reminder to residents to continue to take precautions against contracting the disease. “The increase in West Nile activity should cause residents to take precautions, but not to overreact,” Schryer said. “The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito bite is low. Most people do not become ill, and for those who do, most suffer only a mild flu-like illness for a few days. The symptoms may be so mild that most don’t even know they were infected. People who do become more seriously ill tend to be 50 years of age and older.”

Serious symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness or paralysis, vision loss, and numbness.

The Health Department recommends the following measures to reduce the number of mosquitoes and lessen your chances of being bitten:
• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Check for items outside the home that collect water, such as cans, bottles, jars, buckets, old tires, drums and other containers.
• Change water in flower vases, birdbaths, planters and animal watering pans at least twice a week.
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets, and move air conditioner drain hoses frequently.
• Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes when going outside at night by using insect repellent.
• Wear lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs.

The Pinal County Division of Environmental Health is accepting dead birds for testing for West Nile virus if they meet certain conditions. Not all dead birds are eligible or will be accepted for testing.

If you would like information concerning WNV, including locations for nightly mosquito fogging in Pinal County, please call the mosquito hotline at (520) 866-6200 or (866) 287-0209 extension 6200. For more information about mosquito-borne viruses and dead bird reporting call the Pinal County Division of Environmental Health at (800) 231-8499 ext. 6559 or (520) 866-6559. You may also visit the Pinal County Division of Public Health hotline at (866) 763-7252 or the Arizona Department of Health Services web site at or call the State Public Health Hotline at (602) 364-4500 or statewide toll-free at (800) 314-9243.