What is being cut? A look inside the new Chabert cuts
October 9, 2012HNC bridge to close Thursday
October 9, 2012Local infectious disease specialist Dr. Mary Eschete confirmed treating a person for West Nile virus during the final week of September. Eschete said the Terrebonne Parish patient had what was considered a mild case, but said because of HIPAA regulations she could not reveal the patient’s age, whether it was male or female and if the person was treated at Terrebonne General Medical Center or Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center – both of which the doctor is associated.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Oct. 1 listings, the total number of West Nile infections among humans nationally this year has reached 3,545 and includes 147 deaths.
In Louisiana through September there were 157 total humans infected, with 10 West Nile cases resulting in death.
Texas posted the largest number of human infections at 1,355, which included 52 deaths.
Eschete said the infection is screened for when patients exhibit symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis. “[The Terrebonne Parish case] was found because the person was ill,” she said.
As for treatments, the doctor said there are none for West Nile virus other than supportive care. “That includes pain medicine and if it is severe, respiratory support,” Eschete said.
Cajun Mosquito Control owner Jessie Boudreaux said that prevention and testing by professionals is the best ways to fight the disease. He urged residents help fight the spreading of this disease by eliminating standing water on their property including in bird baths, plant bowls and debris. Wearing repellants containing 20-to-30 percent Deet helps as well as not being outside at dusk or dawn, when the disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active.
“Make sure your house has tight fitting window and door screens and that all are free from holes,” Boudreaux said.
Eschete added that wearing light colored clothing also helps. “For some reason they are drawn to darker colors,” she said.
Boudreaux said mosquito season in south Louisiana generally runs from June through October, but added he would not be surprised this year to see activity continue through November.
The CDCP lists 2012 as having the highest count of West Nile virus in humans and animals since the summer of 2003. Officials have said this year’s level constitutes an epidemic in North America.
“It is cyclical and no one knows why,” Eschete said. “We always have mosquitoes, but [having the presence of West Nile virus] is more complicated than that.”
“West Nile is a rare but serious disease that attacks the lining of the brain,” Boudreaux said.
West Nile virus is transferred from birds with the illness to mosquitoes when the insects bite them. Once the virus is transferred whatever that mosquito bites next is subject to infection.
Approximately 80 percent of people bitten by West Nile carrying mosquitoes display no symptoms according to medical experts.
Mild symptoms appear among 20 percent of people infected. Warning signs include fever, headaches and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands and skin rashes.
Severe cases of West Nile virus, which involves about one in 150 people infected, could include high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and even coma.
There is no way to determine in advance if a person might catch West Nile virus. However, people most at risk to develop complications are over the age of 50.
According to medical experts, there have been only a “very small” number of cases when West Nile virus was spread by blood transfusions, organ transplants or even breast feeding. It is not spread by casual human contact.
Eschete said the Terrebonne Parish patient with West Nile is resting and expected to make a full recovery.
The physician advised the public to not be afraid of going outside or continuing regular activities. Her recommendation for certain, but nearly impossible prevention is to, “Avoid getting bit by mosquitoes.”
