NW Health Connections

West Nile VirusSARSFetal Alcohol Syndrome SeminarCold and Flu SeasonOMR and Incident Management

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West Nile Virus (WNV) is a concern in this region of the US. Named "West Nile Virus" because it was first isolated in a woman from the West Nile region of Uganda, it is typically found in vertebrates, such as humans, birds, and horses, and transmitted primarily by mosquitos.

There were no documented cases of WNV in the western hemisphere until 1999, when there was an outbreak in New York state. The virus has been slowly spreading westward since that time. The first case in Pennsylvania was recorded in 2000. There were 62 documented cases of WNV in Pennsylvania last year. Nine of those 62 died from the virus. While this is a relatively low figure, compared to the national total of 4161 cases and 277 deaths, there is some indication that the virus could be found in this area soon (Source:

Warren Times Observer).

Three birds in Warren County tested positive for WNV last year and the recent heavy rains, followed by higher temperatures, have created prime mosquito breeding habitats in this area.

Several agencies are studying WNV and trying to determine how to minimize it's effect, but as yet, there is not much known about the virus. Meanwhile, public education may be the best way to minimize the spread of WNV. It is important to survey our surrounding to ensure there are no good mosquito breeding grounds. Make sure there are no pools of standing water on your property. This means turning over or removing anything that can hold water, such as buckets, wheelbarrows, or wading pools, removing old tires or making them unsuitable for holding water (use them as planters, cut them in pieces, or take them to a collection site). If you have bird baths on your property, be sure to change the water daily, or install an inexpensive fountain to keep the water from becoming stagnant. When you are outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use mosquito repellent.

For more information on West Nile Virus, please visit the Pennsylvania's West Nile Virus Surveillance Program website or check out this article on Web MD.

SARS is on nearly everyone's mind these days, it seems. SARS stands for Severe Accute Respiratory Syndrome, and it has been making headlines for the past several months.

SARS was originally discovered in Asia early in 2003 and has spread throughout Asia and into Europe and North America. SARS is primarily spread through close person-to-person contact, by coming in contact with infected droplets (i.e. saliva) and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth - usually as a result of a SARS patient coughing or sneezing nearby.

SARS symptoms typically include a fever greater than 100.4&154;F; other symptoms may include headache, a general feeling of discomfort, body aches, and possibly mild respiratory symptoms. After two (2) to seven (7) days, SARS patients often develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing.

To minimize the risk of getting SARS, wear a mask whenever you are around someone who has been diagnosed with this disease or if they are exhibiting similar symptoms, wash hands frequently when in public places or when caring for someone with SARS, do not share silverware or glasses with anyone exhibiting SARS-like symptoms. If you are a SARS patient, or think you may have SARS, be sure to cover your mouth with a facial tissue every time you cough or sneeze - if possible, wear a surgical mask whenever you are around others.

If you think you could have SARS, contact your health-care provider - be sure to tell them if you have recently traveled to any areas where SARS has been reported, or if you came into contact with someone who had similar symptoms.

For more information on SARS, visit the

Center For Disease Control's website.

Dr. Greg Cherpes will be presenting a seminar on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome on March 25, 2003, (10:00am - 12:00pm) at Northwest Health Connections in Warren. Registration is required! To register for this event, please email

Flu season is upon us. Symptoms include headache, dry cough, and chills. High fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches and pains, chest discomfort, and cough are also common. The flu is highly contagious and a person is contagious beginning one day before the onset of symptoms. Here are some tips to help prevent the flu:

Avoid people who are sick. If you are the person with the flu, stay home! By staying home from work/school and avoiding going out and about, you help prevent spreading the flu to others.
Wash your hands often and well to protect yourself from the flu virus germs.
Cover your mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of tissues properly.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
If you are prone to getting the flu, or in a high-risk group (elderly, very young, chronically ill, occupation with high people contact, etc.), you should consider getting a flu vaccine each year.

If you still get the flu, get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids. Use antipyretics and analgesics (Tylenol, etc.) to help reduce fevers and relieve aches and pain. Do NOT give aspirin to anyone under 20 years of age - this has been associated with Reye's Syndrome, a rare condition that can be fatal. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter medications if you are already taking medications for chronic ailmenst such as heart or lung disease.

If you have any further questions regarding the flu, flu vaccines, treatment, or antiviral medications, please contact your doctor.

Janice Drukalski from the Office of Mental Retardation (OMR) will present "An Overview of OMR and Incident Management" at Northwest Health Connections on April 23, from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Please email

or call 814-728-9400 to register for this seminar.