By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Three more dead birds, which preliminary tests show were afflicted with the West Nile Virus, have been found in St. Francis County. One of those was found in Forrest City.
"These are preliminary tests," said Charles Presson, environmental specialist with the St. Francis County Health Department. "We've had three more West Nile Virus birds."
He said the birds will be tested further for confirmation.
One bird, found in Hughes, was reported recently. Since then, another bird was found in Hughes, one in the Shell Lake area and one in Forrest City. Presson said he didn't have information on exactly where in Forrest City the infected bird had been found.
There are two main things the general public is being asked to do -- bring dead birds to the Health Department, and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
The bird needs to be recently dead, according to Presson.
"It has to be a freshly dead bird," he said. "They need to put the bird on ice. They need to get the bird into a bag and put ice on it. With this terrible heat we're having, it doesn't take long for the bird to deteriorate. And once it has deteriorated, the lab can't do anything with it."
He said it wouldn't be a bad idea to put the bird, in its bag, in the freezer until it can be put on ice for transport to the health department, "if they will do that," he said.
"Some people, and I understand, wouldn't even dream of doing anything like that. But as long as the bird is in a sealed bag, there is no hazard."
According to Presson, the best thing a person can do is bring the bird to the Health Department, rather than calling someone to come pick it up.
"They need to bring it to me," he said. "I've traveled hundreds of miles and half the time I get there and the bird is rotten. I'm one person, and I have other duties besides this."
Presson said the best protection, especially if one has to be outside during the afternoon or evening, is to use a repellent containing the chemical known as DEET.
"The main thing is, if people are going out, they need to have an insect repellent with DEET," he said. "And then they need to wash it off when they're through with their outside activity. Repeated use of DEET can have some nerve effects, so people do need to wash it off when they come inside."
The Associated Press reported this morning that the first human case of the West Nile Virus in Arkansas has been reported in Union County. This is also a preliminary report.
Union County shares a state line with Louisiana, where four people have died of the virus this year.
According to information from the Arkansas Department of Health, the West Nile Virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes who bite humans, horses and other animals after feeding on diseased birds, which are the host animals.
Not all mosquitoes carry the virus, but the more mosquito bites one gets, the greater the risk.
The Health Department states that most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito do not get sick or show only mild symptoms. Symptoms, of human West Nile virus usually start within 14 days of being bitten.
The symptoms include fever, muscle and joint aches, listlessness, and in the most severe cases, headaches leading to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
According to the Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control reports that fewer than 1 percent of persons infected with West Nile Virus will develop severe illness. Of those who do develop severe illness, death rates range from 3 to 15 percent, and are highest among the elderly. Also at risk are persons with weakened immune systems.
The Health Department reports that there is no specific treatment for the West Nile Virus infection, and avoiding mosquitoes is the best prevention.
The Forrest City Pest Control Office is asking for the public's help in fighting mosquitoes.
"We have a year round program to keep down the mosquito population," said J.C. Rice, pest control officer. "Currently we are cutting grass and weeds from ditches and some rights-of-way. We are also in the process of locating stagnant water sites. We are asking residents to help us locate these stagnant water pools."
He said once the pools are located, they are treated with pellets called Altosid.
"The pellet removes mosquito larva from the water, thus reducing the population of adult mosquitoes."
Rice said there are other ways citizens can help.
"If you, or a neighbor, have containers with standing water, please drain the water. Or, if the container is too large for you to handle, call us and we will help," said Rice. "Please empty all cans, bottles, buckets and containers that could hold water more than three days. Keep clean, fresh water in swimming pools, or drain if not in use. Clean birdbaths and change the water at least every three to four days.
"Working together, we can help keep down the mosquito population in our community," he said.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
With the opening of school right around the corner, area school districts are gearing up and planning their open houses.
In the Forrest City School District, individual schools will be opening their doors for parents and students on Friday, Aug. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m.
In Hughes, Aug. 16, will also be the date for parents and students to go out and meet the new teachers. The parent/teacher conferences will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Calvary Christian Schools in Forrest City will also hold an open house, which will be held at the Forrest City Civic Center, on Sunday, Aug. 18, beginning at 2 p.m. Following the meeting at the civic center, parents will be instructed to go to their children's respective schools.
There was no information available on the Palestine-Wheatley School District.
All three school districts begin classes on Aug. 19.
A pair of races for school board positions in two local school districts developed with the closing of the filing period on Monday.
Forrest City School Board member Sandra Taylor is facing opposition from Tony R. Morgan. Taylor and Morgan are vying for the Position 5 seat on the board.
FCSB member Mallory Nimocks, who currently holds the Position 6 seat, is running unopposed.
In the Palestine-Wheatley School District, board member Stanley G. Siler, who holds the Position 5 seat on the board, is being challenged by Don V. Lee in his bid for reelection. Incumbents Dorothy Smith, Position 1 and Bill Ray, Position 7, are unopposed.
Hughes School Board member Horace E. Cupples Jr., filed the lone petition for candidacy in Hughes.
The annual school election is set for Tuesday, Sept. 17.
A four-year-old boy required stitches in his head after being hit with a brick at a local park Monday evening.
The Forrest City Police Department reported the boy was playing at a park on Mann Street about 7 p.m. when he allegedly made an obscene hand gesture toward a 14-year-old girl. The girl allegedly picked up a brick and threw it at the boy, striking him on top of the head.
The toddler's wound required two stitches, according to police.
The girl was later arrested and charged with third-degree battery before being released to her mother.