Harlan man, 62, dies from West Nile virus
COURTNEY BRUMMER , Staff Writer 07/09/2004
A southwest Iowa man died as a result of the West Nile virus, according to Iowa
Department of Public Health officials, making him the second person nationally
to die as a result of the disease.
The man's name, city and county of residence was not being released by state
officials who referred to the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act as well as state privacy policies.
The Omaha World-Herald identified the victim as William Nile Brower, 62, of
Harlan in a story in this morning's issue. Brower's official cause of death was
listed as cardiac arrest, according to Pauley Jones Funeral Home, which handled
his services.
IDPH Director Dr. Mary Mincer Hansen said, however, that the man had spent an
"extensive amount of time outdoors" making him at higher risk to contract the
mosquito-carried virus. To date, no vaccine has been developed to counter the
virus in humans.
Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, Iowa state epidemiologist, said that the man developed
neurological symptoms of the disease. The cause of death was confirmed in the
Iowa Hygienic Lab at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.
Attempts by The Daily Nonpareil to contact members of Brower's family this
morning were unsuccessful.
This is the second recorded death from West Nile nationally this year. The
first case was reported in Arizona. No other horses or humans have been
reported to have contracted the disease in Iowa so far.
"The thing to remember about West Nile is that anyone at any age can contract
it," Quinlisk said. "If you are elderly or have a weakened immune system, then
your chances of dying from the disease are greater."
Most people infected with West Nile show few or no signs of illness, but the
virus can cause brain swelling which can result in death.
Those infected with the virus may suffer from various symptoms, including
fever, loss of appetite, stiff neck or severe headache.
Hansen said in 2003, there were six fatalities from the disease reported in
Iowa and almost 150 cases of people who fell ill with the virus and recovered.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 78 cases of West Nile
virus nationwide so far this year, 57 of which were reported in Arizona.
"It's a big enough deal that you need to take precautions," Quinlisk said,
"even if the precaution may not seem like a big deal."
West Nile is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the
virus while feeding on an infected bird, according to the IDPH. The illness
cannot be spread from person to person or from bird to bird.
"Iowa is seeing large mosquito numbers this year," Quinlisk said.
"Additionally, the peak season for West Nile is late summer, meaning the danger
will exist for many more weeks."
Quinlisk added that it could be the first part of October before West Nile
season comes to an end.
"So until the beginning of October we're asking people to take precaution," she
said.
The IDPH recommends several different ways for people to protect themselves
against infection from mosquitoes:
n Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
n Avoid outdoor activities during the early evening hours when mosquitoes are
most active.
n Use mosquito repellents containing permethrin, a medicine used to treat head
lice, or 35 percent DEET. Repellents should be applied to clothing or onto the
hands, and then rubbed onto exposed skin.
n Repair any tears in window and door screens.
Quinlisk advised that mosquitoes should be eradicated where they breed;
typically in shady places where small ponds of water can be found, such as old
tires and tin cans.
Since mosquitoes tend to flock to bird baths, she also recommended changing
bird bath water once a week.
"We know large bodies of water such as rivers and lakes are not good breeding
grounds" for mosquitoes, she said. "They like being near small amounts of
water."
Hansen and Quinlisk encouraged Iowa residents to visit the IDPH Web site:
www.idph.state.ia.us in order to learn more about protection against West Nile.
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