In response to a recent rise in the Mid-Atlantic mosquito population and last month's encephalitis crisis in New York, State officials emphasized today that they have not seen any evidence of any West Nile mosquito-borne encephalitis in Maryland. At the same time, officials at the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Health and Mental Hygiene announced that they were coordinating their efforts to control and monitor the State's mosquito population, in order to prevent any potential public health hazards in the future. Governor Glendening encouraged Marylanders to supplement the State's efforts by eliminating standing water in their yards and on their property.

"Our Department of Agriculture is aggressively testing mosquitoes, and maintaining its efforts to control the mosquito population, so that we can continue to ensure the health and safety of our citizens and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses," Governor Glendening said. "I emphasize that we have had no reported cases of any strains of West Nile encephalitis in Maryland, and we are taking extra precautions to prevent occurrences. I ask Marylanders to help by monitoring their yards and outdoor areas for standing water and eliminating all conditions that can lead to mosquitoes breeding."

Officials at the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), which is responsible for Maryland's control program, announced that they are extensively spraying mosquito-prone areas and surveying for disease-infected mosquitos. MDA maintains a comprehensive web site on managing mosquitoes at www.mda.state.md.us/mosquitoes.html. Individuals may also contact MDA's mosquito control office at 410-841-5870, or 800-492-5590.

In addition, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is prepared to investigate any potential cases of encephalitis to determine if they are mosquito-borne. Any citizen who has concerns about encephalitis should call their health care provider, local health department, or DHMH at 1-877-463-3464, or log into www.edcp.org/html/mosquito.html.

Since mosquitoes may also transmit the disease after feeding on birds infected with the encephalitis, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging residents who encounter dead crows or a significant number of birds dying from unknown causes to call 1-800-442-0708. When reporting these incidences, it would be helpful to know the date, location, number, and type of bird found dead.

To supplement the State's efforts, Marylanders are encouraged to control mosquito breeding around their homes. Citizens can help curtail the mosquito population by eliminating all sources of standing water in their yards or outdoor areas. All mosquito larvae need standing water to develop, and as little as one-half inch of water in a discarded can or container will support dozens of mosquitoes.

The most common sites for standing water to accumulate around the home include old tires, stored plastic wading tools, empty clay pots, plastic containers, and untended bird baths. Rain gutters that do not drain properly also are home to mosquito larvae.

"After our first few frosts, the mosquitoes will die off naturally," said the Governor. "I ask Marylanders to take preventative measures to help control mosquitoes until the colder weather eliminates this year's mosquito population."

Common Sense Tips To Avoid Mosquito Bites And Minimize The Risk Of Disease

• Avoid areas of high mosquito infestation.
• Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirt and hat when outdoors.
• Use mosquito repellents containing DEET. Consult a physician before applying DEET to young children.
• Restrict the outdoor play of your children if mosquitoes are present.
• Drain all water-holding outdoor containers around the home.
• Inspect basements and crawl spaces. If they are flooded, drain as quickly as possible.
• The very young, the elderly and persons with depressed immune systems are at most risk for acquiring disease from mosquito bites.

Contact the Mosquito Control Section of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 410-841-5870, for additional assistance and advice.

Use The Following Tips To Rid Your Community Of Mosquito Breeding Sites:

• Clean rain gutters to allow water to flow freely.
• Remove old tires or drill drainage holes in tires used for playground equipment.
• Store plastic wading pools inside or turn them upside down when not in use.
• Turn over or remove clay pots and plastic containers.
• Dispose of all empty beverage containers, plastic wrappers, discarded toys, etc.
• Check for trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps used to cover boats, pools, etc. Arrange the tarp to drain the water.
• Pump out bilges in boats. Turn canoes and small boats upside down for storage.
• Replace water in bird baths at least twice a week.
• Remove pet food and water dishes that are not being used.
• Flush livestock water troughs twice a week.
• Don't leave garbage can lids lying upside down. Be sure water does not collect in the bottom of garbage cans.
• Flush water in the bottom of plant holders twice a week.
• Fix dripping outside water faucets.
• Turn wheelbarrows upside down when stored outside.
• Check around construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to ensure that proper backfilling and grading prevent drainage problems.
• Check ornamental ponds, tree holes and water-holding low areas for mosquito larvae. Call the nearest Mosquito Control Office (see below) if you find, or suspect, mosquito larvae are present.
• If ditches do not flow and contain stagnant water for one week or longer, they can produce large numbers of mosquitoes. Report such conditions to a Mosquito Control Office. Do not attempt to clear these ditches because they may be protected by wetland regulations.

Answers to your questions about WEST NILE ENCEPHALITIS
Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control & MD DNR

Q. What is West Nile encephalitis?
A. "Encephalitis" means an inflammation of the brain and can be caused by viral and bacterial infections, including viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. West Nile encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by West Nile virus, a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States.

Q. How do people get West Nile encephalitis?
A. By the bite of a mosquito (primarily the Culex species) that is infected with West Nile virus.

Q. What is the basic transmission cycle?
A. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on birds infected with the West Nile virus. Infected mosquitoes then transmit the West Nile virus to humans and animals.

Q. Can you get West Nile encephalitis from another person?
A. No. West Nile encephalitis is NOT transmitted from person-to-person. For example, you cannot get the virus that causes West Nile encephalitis from touching or kissing a person who has the disease, or from a health care worker who has treated someone with the disease.

Q. Can you get West Nile virus directly from birds?
A. There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, avoid bare-handed contact when handling dead animals, including dead birds. Use gloves or double plastic bags to place the carcass in a garbage can.

Q. Besides mosquitoes, can you get West Nile virus directly from other insects or ticks?
A. Infected mosquitoes are the primary vector for West Nile virus and the source of this outbreak. Ticks have been found infected with West Nile virus in Asia and Africa. Their role in the transmission and maintenance of the virus is uncertain. However, as it relates to the New York area outbreak, ticks have not been implicated as vectors of West Nile-like virus.

Q. What are the symptoms of West Nile encephalitis?
A. Mild infections are common and include fever, headache, and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infection is marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, paralysis and, rarely, death.

Q. What is the incubation period of West Nile encephalitis?
A. Usually 5 to 15 days.

Q. Where did the West Nile-like virus come from?
A. West Nile virus has been commonly found in humans and birds and other vertebrates in Africa, Eastern Europe, West Asia, and the Middle East, but has not previously been documented in the Western Hemisphere. It is not known where the U.S. virus came from.

Q. How long has the West Nile-like virus been in the U.S.?
A. It is not known how long it has been in the U.S., but CDC scientists believe the virus has probably been in the eastern U.S. for several months, possibly longer.

Q. Reference is made to "West Nile-like" virus. Does this mean the virus found in New York is not West Nile virus?
A. No, it means that the virus found in New York is genetically related to West Nile virus, but because of genetic differences it may be a new subtype of West Nile virus. Laboratory testing to confirm this continues.

Q. When will the current risk of infection end? A. The risk in the New York City area is greatly reduced due to the effectiveness of mosquito control and public education programs. However, the risk of infection will not be completely over until mosquito activity ceases for the season, i.e., when freezing temperatures are experienced.

Q. What precautions need to be taken to prevent a recurrent outbreak next year?
A. Surveillance for infected mosquitoes and sentinel bird flocks for West Nile virus will greatly enhance state and local government's early detection symptoms.

Q. What is the mortality rate of West Nile encephalitis?
A. Case-fatality rates range from 3% to 15% (higher in elderly than in younger age groups).

Q. How many cases of West Nile encephalitis occur in the U.S.?
A. No cases have previously been reported in the U.S. prior to September 1999 (New York). No reliable estimates are available for the number of cases of West Nile encephalitis that occur internationally.

Q. Do birds naturally infected with West Nile virus die or become ill?
A. This has not been previously reported, but apparently has occurred in the New York area epidemic.

Q. How is West Nile encephalitis treated?
A. There is no specific therapy. Intensive supportive therapy is indicated in more severe cases.

Q. Is the disease seasonal in its occurrence?
A. In temperate areas of the world, West Nile encephalitis cases occur primarily in the late summer or early fall. In the southern climates where temperatures are milder, West Nile encephalitis can occur year round.

Q. Who is at risk for getting West Nile encephalitis?
A. All residents of areas where active cases have been identified are at risk of getting West Nile encephalitis, but persons > 50 years of age have the highest risk.

Q. Is a woman's pregnancy at risk if she gets West Nile encephalitis?
A. There is no documented evidence that a pregnancy is at risk due to infection with West Nile virus.

Q. Is there a vaccine against West Nile encephalitis?
A. No.

Q. What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus?
A. Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 20% to 30% DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 30%) may cause side effects, particularly in children; avoid products containing more than 30% DEET. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children. Insect repellants should not be applied to very young children (< 3 years old). Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET, as mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product. Note: Vitamin B and "ultrasonic" devices are NOT effective in preventing mosquito bites.

Q. Where can I get more information on mosquito-borne viral encephalitis?
A. Visit the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/arboinfo.htm

More Answers to Your Questions About WEST NILE ENCEPHALITIS

Q. Has the virus been found in Maryland?
A. No. There is no evidence of unusual bird mortality, no cases of the virus being transmitted to humans, and tests for the virus in mosquitos have been negative.

Q. What is Maryland doing to monitor for the virus?
A. Even though there are no indications that the virus is affecting Marylanders, state officials have been taking precautions, aggressively monitoring for the virus and providing information to the public. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has recently sprayed pesticide in areas with high mosquito populations, and entomologists continue to monitor population levels as well as test mosquitos for the virus. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is monitoring for unusual bird deaths, and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is working with local health officers and health care providers statewide to check for any human health reports that may associated with the virus. Collectively, these departments are working with their colleagues in the states that have been affected by the virus, as well as with the Centers for Disease Control and the National Wildlife Research Center.

Q. Can my pet get this virus from eating a dead bird?
A. There is no evidence of the virus being transmitted this way.

Q. I hunt, and soon hope to bag waterfowl when the season opens. Should I be afraid to eat a bird? Also, what about commercially-processed birds like chickens?
A. There is no evidence of the virus being transmitted through eating birds. Also, thorough cooking kills this virus.

Q. Can I get this virus from coming in contact with birds?
A. There is no evidence that someone can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, it's always important to avoid bare-handed contact if you must handle dead animals, including birds. Use gloves or double plastic bags to place the carcass in a garbage can.

Q. What should I do if I find a dying or dead bird or birds?
A. Remember that birds die naturally for many reasons. If the bird is found next to a road or building, near a window, or under power/telephone lines, and shows some outward sign of injury (blood, broken bones, deformity, etc...) you probably do not need to be concerned. However, if none of these conditions apply, and if the bird is a crow, or, if there are numerous birds, we would like to hear from you. Please call the Nuisance Wildlife Hotline at 1-800-442-0708.

Q. Why are you concerned about crows? How can I tell if it's a crow?
A. Crows are of concern because that is the primary species affected in New York. Crows are all black, with a black bill, legs and feet, with rounded wings and tail. They are larger than most people think, about the size of an average cat.

More Information

Mosquito Control Information from the Maryland Department of Agriculture
EPA: Mosquitos: How To Control Them
CDC Fact Sheet: Arboviral Encephalitides