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August 14, 2004

Luna County Offers Insect Repellent to Elderly, Kids


   
   
   
The Associated Press
       DEMING   —   Luna County is offering insect repellent wrist bands to the residents most susceptible to West Nile virus.
    The elderly and young children are typically more vulnerable to West Nile. There have been 14 human cases of the mosquito-borne virus in New Mexico this year.
    More than 1,000 wrist bands are being distributed at the Luna County Planning Department on a first-come, first-serve basis.
    "We have had quite a few people come already," Luna County Emergency Management Coordinator Luis Montoya said.
    The bands have a life of up to 180 hours, if stored properly. They come in a reusable container for storage between uses.
    "They are very effective," Luna County Manager Scott Vinson said. "The wrist bands are to last throughout the mosquito season. An individual can also take it off when he or she wants to."
    The county, which consists of 1,600 miles of unincorporated land in southern New Mexico, has agreed not to spray because of the cost.
    The disease usually causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. However, it can also lead to encephalitis, an infection of the brain, or meningitis, an infection of the lining around the brain. Both meningitis and encephalitis can be fatal, especially in the elderly.
    Most people who become infected have no symptoms or only mild ones; less than 1 percent of all those infected develop encephalitis or meningitis.
    Last year, 209 New Mexicans tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus and four people died, all of them in their 70s or older.
    The Health Department recommends that people take precautions to reduce their risk of getting the infection, including staying indoors at dawn and dusk, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors, using insect repellant, and keeping windows shut if they don't have tight-fitting screens.