Experts foresee arrival of West Nile bug.

Byline: Scott Maben The Register-Guard

Squadrons of vicious bloodsuckers are bearing down on their targets, and health officials are wondering how much longer Oregon will hold out as the last state yet to record a human case of the West Nile virus.

"I would not be at all surprised to see it this summer. In fact, we're expecting it," said Betsy Meredith, a Lane County Public Health nursing supervisor.

West Nile is in its sixth year of transmission in North America. Infected migratory birds have flown it across the continent, and 566 people have died in the United States after being bitten by mosquitoes carrying the disease.

The insects began emerging in Oregon three months ago and are growing thick near ponds and lakes.

The pests seem especially bad in the Horsfall area north of Coos Bay-North Bend, said Sharon Stewart, dispersed recreation supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service in the Reedsport area.

"They're very prevalent," Stewart said. "There's quite a lot of lakes in that area and a lot of standing water besides the lakes for this time of year."

Still water offers mosquitoes prime breeding habitat, and recent rains have filled puddles, pots and gutters just as mosquito season hits its stride.

Public health officials advise residents to eliminate standing water around their homes - regularly drain bird baths, pet dishes and horse troughs, for instance - to help control the insect's numbers.

"This can be very, very effective in reducing mosquito populations that might carry either West Nile virus or other mosquito-borne disease," Meredith said.

Phil Rossignol, a professor of medical entomology at Oregon State University, said it certainly can't hurt to reduce places where mosquitoes reproduce, but such steps probably won't do much to keep the virus from spreading through Oregon.

"People shouldn't expect it will protect them," Rossignol cautioned.

The best protection, experts say, is to take precautions to avoid getting bitten. These include wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts in mornings and evenings, when the insects are most prevalent, and using insect repellents that have DEET.

"These are safe if used according to the recommendations in people over 2 years old," Meredith said.

She also recommends inspecting window and door screens and repairing any holes to keep mosquitoes from invading homes.

Officials also stress that the risk of contracting the virus remains very low. Most people who get infected don't develop any disease at all, and less than 1 percent who become infected develop severe illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among those with severe illness, anywhere from 3 percent to 15 percent will die, the CDC said. Mortality is highest among the elderly.

So far this year, West Nile virus illnesses have been confirmed in six Arizona residents and one person in New Mexico.

As with any virus, contracting the disease generally provides immunity from future infections.

BUG OFF

Experts recommend the following tips to avoid mosquitoes and possible exposure to West Nile virus:

Maintain window and door screens to help keep mosquitoes out of buildings.

Drain puddles and empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as flower pots, pet bowls, rain gutters, tires, swimming pool covers and barrels.

Apply insect repellents that contain DEET to exposed skin or clothing.

Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.

Wear long pants, long sleeves and light-colored clothing.

WEST NILE

VIRUS WATCH

Lane County Public Health will take reports of dead crows, blue jays and magpies and submit them for testing if there is evidence of a die-off in a particular area. The bird must look like it has died within 24 hours of natural causes (no obvious injuries). To report a dead bird, call 682-3497.

More information: www.lanecounty.org or call the toll-free West Nile hot line, [phone]

CAPTION(S):

Standing water makes mosquitoes more prevalent.