West Nile-like Virus - Day Care Providers

Dear Day Care Provider:

The greater New York Metropolitan area and the lower Hudson Valley have experienced an outbreak of a virus not previously found in the Western Hemisphere. To date, a West Nile–like virus has been linked to the deaths of four New York State residents. As of September 29 1999, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported forty–three laboratory positive cases of the West Nile–like infection in residents of New York City, Westchester and Nassau Counties.

Initially, scientists believed the outbreak was caused by the St. Louis encephalitis virus, but researchers from the CDC and the University of California at Irvine only recently identified the West Nile–like strain from the brain tissue of the patients who died from encephalitis in New York City. Moreover, an unusual number of dead or sick wild birds are now being observed in downstate New York and adjacent states. Almost 75% of the dead birds reported have been crows. Evidence of the West Nile–like virus has been found in several of these birds from New York City, Nassau and Westchester Counties. Additional testing of dead birds is being conducted by the State Health Department, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the CDC.

Symptoms of the various types of viral infections transmitted by mosquitoes are usually similar but differ in severity. Most infections do not result in any symptoms. Mild cases may occur with only a slight fever and/or headache. Severe infections are marked by a rapid onset and usually occur five to 15 days after exposure. There is no specific treatment of the viral infection, other than symptomatic and supportive care.

If you have concerns about the children you care for, especially regarding their outdoor activities, the Department of Health is advising the following precautions:

  • Eliminate any items that may collect standing water that provides a mosquito–;breeding area from your premises;
  • Repair all screen doors and windows that may provide a mosquito access;
  • Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn;
  • Make sure they wear long sleeve shirts and long pants when spending time outdoors in likely mosquito habitats such as woods or wetlands; and
  • Use an insect repellent containing DEET, according to label instructions, when spending time outdoors in mosquito infested areas. Do not spray DEET directly on children's skin.

Please call the Department at 1–800–962–7366 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. should you have any questions regarding this matter.

Sincerely,
Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H.
Commissioner of Health