Rabies: Rabies can only be confirmed in a laboratory. Because of the deadly nature of rabies, JCPH strongly encourages citizens not to allow their pets to roam free and to keep their pet cats, dogs and ferrets current on their rabies vaccinations. Do not handle wild animals and keep them from entering your home by using screens or closing windows, doors and other openings. If you find a dead animal, use a shovel to place bat in plastic bag, tie knot in bag and dispose of bag in outdoor trash container.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Rabies
Rabies: Rabies can only be confirmed in a laboratory. Because of the deadly nature of rabies, JCPH strongly encourages citizens not to allow their pets to roam free and to keep their pet cats, dogs and ferrets current on their rabies vaccinations. Do not handle wild animals and keep them from entering your home by using screens or closing windows, doors and other openings. If you find a dead animal, use a shovel to place bat in plastic bag, tie knot in bag and dispose of bag in outdoor trash container.
Monday, June 14, 2010
West Nile Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE)
Not all mosquitoes carry disease, the mosquitoes of greatest concern in Jefferson County are Culex (medium-sized mosquitoes) that feed primarily around dawn and dusk. These mosquitoes are monitored by JCPH’s integrated mosquito control program.
Symptoms: develop between 3 & 14 days after being bitten.
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness -lasting 2-7 days.
In some cases:
The virus can cause a serious brain infection such as aseptic meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain/spinal cord). These infections begin with:
- Sudden onset of high fever
- Headache
- May progress to stiff neck
- Disorientation
- Tremors
- Coma
Severe infections can result in permanent impairment or death.
There is no specific treatment for infection
with these viruses except supportive care.
Prevention:
- Mosquito proof your home and backyard.
- Wear appropriate clothing and insect repellent.
- Use insect repellent even in your own back yard.
- Eliminate any standing water weekly. Culex mosquitoes breed in almost any source of standing water, including old tires, flowerpots, tree holes, or any puddle. Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time, which hatch in as few as 2-3 days.
For more information on West Nile Virus and other animal-borne diseases, visit our website at www.jeffco.us/health.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Symptoms: "Flu-like"
Incubation Period - 3 to 14 days
- Sudden onset of high fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Rash - often appearing a few days later. Rash spreads rapidly over the entire body, may be seen on the palms and soles of the feet.
The illness can be treated with antibiotics, but can be fatal if treatment is delayed.
Prevention: When going into the mountains-- Wear light-colored clothing
- Tuck trousers into the tops of socks and shirttails into trousers
- Apply a small amount of an insect repellent containing DEET on clothing
- Frequent "tick checks" should be performed every two to three hours especially in key areas: back, scalp and behind the ears.
Once embedded in the skin, a tick can be removed by using a pair of tweezers to grasp the tick and, gently, but firmly, pull backwards without crushing the tick or leaving the mouthparts in the skin. Avoid crushing tick between fingers as infection can occur if the bacteria enter the skin. Washing hands and applying an antiseptic to the bite after removal is advised. Ticks should always be removed carefully and as soon as possible to prevent disease transmission.
A tick must be attached for several hours for the disease to be spread.
For more information on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other animal-borne diseases, visit our website at www.jeffco.us/health.
Colorado Tick Fever
Symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Nausea and abdominal pain
- Lethargy
Symptoms usually last 4-5 days, followed by an apparent recovery, then a relapse with symptoms for 2-3 more days. Complete recovery can take 2 or 3 weeks.
For more information on Colorado Tick Fever and other animal-borne diseases, visit our website at www.jeffco.us/health.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Symptoms:
Incubation Period - Varies, ranges from 1 to 6 weeks.
First symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Severe abdominal, joint and lower back pain
- Nausea and vomiting.
- A cough and shortness of breath usually develops 1 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
- Difficulty in breathing due to fluid build-up in the lungs. This can quickly progress to respiratory failure.
Prevention:
- Control the presence of rodents in and around the home by sealing up rodent entry holes or gaps; trapping mice and rats.
- Be careful not to create food sources for the rodents, i.e. putting away pet food.
- Do not sweep or vacuum when cleaning vacated sheds, cabins or other enclosed areas, this can stir up dust. Use gloves to wet contaminated areas with a bleach solution or household disinfectant. Once wet, the area can be mopped or sponged.
- Contaminated gloves should be disinfected before taking them off. Wash hands with soap & warm water.
For more information on Hantavirus and other animal-borne diseases, visit our website at www.jeffco.us/health.