West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus
Waller Independent School District

There have been many concerns regarding the West Nile Virus (WNV) that have affected birds, animals and some people. We have contacted the Waller County Extension Office and the Harris County Health Department for information to help parents in identifying possible cases and preventing the spread of the disease.

If you are concerned about protecting your children while at school, you may send repellent lotion or wipes to school. Students should let their teacher know if they need help applying the repellent. The repellent does not have to be checked in with the nurse or at the office. Please DO NOT send aerosol cans or pump bottles of repellent to school. Aerosol cans are prohibited at school. Spray their clothes at home if you wish.

The Waller ISD Maintenance department is working to keep the grass mowed around the buildings, doorways, walkways, and playgrounds. If you have other concerns about WNV please contact your building principal, Assistant Superintendent Danny Twardowski, or Superintendent Richard McReavy.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Seek medical attention immediately for the following severe symptoms:

Symptoms of brain inflammation (encephalitis) that could include neck stiffness, vomiting, confusion, disturbed consciousness, sleepiness, tremor of extremities, abnormal reflexes, convulsions, partial paralysis, and coma. Also, inflammation of the spinal cord, liver, spleen and heart can occur. People over 50 years old and younger people are at increased risk, however, anyone can get the virus.

Other symptoms may appear 5-15 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito, such as moderate to high fever that last 3-6 days, sometimes alternating with chills and accompanied by sore throat, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph glands, muscles and joints. There can also be inflamed lining of the eyes, pain behind the eyes, rash spreading from the body to the arms, legs and head, appetite loss, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and respiratory symptoms.

Transmission
WNV can be spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. The mosquitoes can infect animals and humans, but there has been no evidence that it can be spread directly from human to human or between humans and animals. There is no vaccine for humans. Prevention is our only option. Horses, donkeys, and mules must be vaccinated twice over a 3-6 week period.

Prevention
Suggested methods to prevent West Nile Virus from spreading:
1.                   Keep outdoor activities to a minimum.
2.                   Wear light colored long sleeve clothing and long pants to deter mosquito bites.
3.                   Use repellant if you have to be outdoors.
4.                   Keep grass mowed around the house.
5.                   Change birdbaths and pet dishes daily.
6.                   Drain water from flowerpots, gutters, rain barrels.
7.                   Remove mosquito-breeding places such as old tires, containers that may collect water.
8.                   Drain livestock watering troughs at least once a week.
9.                   Use screening in homes and pet kennels as well as in horse pens.
10.                 Use mosquito-eating fish or larvicides in permanent bodies of water.

For more information on WNV, contact the Waller County Extension Office, the Harris County Health Department (www.hd.co.harris.tx.us), the Texas Department of Health West Nile Virus Information Line: 1-888-883-9997 or website www.tdh.state.tx.us, or the Center for Disease Control website www.cdc.gov. August 28, 2002