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Vilas County Public Health Department
Hot Topics
State Activates Dead Bird Reporting Hotline to Track West Nile Virus
MADISON - To help track the West Nile virus, (WNV), state health officials have reactivated the statewide, toll-free Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at 1-800-433-1610.
"Dead birds act as an early warning system for West Nile virus," said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer. "Finding the virus in birds indicates that West Nile virus may be present in the local mosquito population bites, triggering special prevention and insect-contol measures."
Click here for the complete article.
Shingles
Shingles is a virus that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Therefore, once a person has had chickenpox, that person is at risk of contracting shingles. The risk for shingles increases as one gets older and there is no way to tell who will get shingles or when it may occur.
The first signs of shingles are often itching, tingling and burning. A few days later a rash of fluid-filled blisters appear, usually on one side of the body or face. These blisters take two to four weeks to heal. During this period, the main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe. The pain can vary from a burning or throbbing to a stabbing or shooting pain. For some, the severe pain may continue even after the rash clears up.
Shingles is far more common as people get older. A single dose vaccine licensed in 2006 is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older.
A person should not get shingles vaccine who:
- has ever had an allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of shingles vaccine.
- has a weakened immune system because of:
- HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system,
- treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids,
- cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy,
- a history of cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma,
- has active, untreated tuberculosis.
- is pregnant, or might be pregnant. Women should not become pregnant until at least three months after getting a shingles vaccine.
- is moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3 degrees F or higher.
You can learn more about shingles at shinglesinfo.com.
Bed Bugs!
First, a quick look at the facts-
- Bed bugs are less than 1/4" in length, flat, and oval-shaped like; a bit like a sunflower seed.
- Bed bugs are small bloodsucking insects that feed on humans and other warm-blooded animals.
- Bed bugs often hide in mattresses but they can also survive in furniture, behind wall coverings and pictures/paintings. They will crawl and nest inside tiny crevices anywhere indoors, as long as there is a source of food (blood).
- While bed bugs do not transmit any pathogens or diseases, their bites usually result in swollen red, itchy welts.
- Bed bugs are typically nocturnal insects (they creep about at nightime).
- There are other types of bed bugs including the bat bug, the chimney swift bug and the swallow bug. All of these relatives survive on blood feeding. However these secondary parasites thrive on either bats or birds as their primary victims.
- Small reddish or brownish spots on one's linens are often the first sign of an infestation. These spots are the bed bug's droppings. Another sign is swelling where you've been bitten.
- Bed bugs are not necessarily a sign of unkempt/dirty homes or buildings.
- A female bed bug can lay as many as 500 eggs during her lifetime.
- Bed bugs can go up to a year without a blood meal.
- A bed bug's saliva features an anesthetic to numb the pain as it's biting. It also contains anti-coagulant to keep the blood of it's meal host flowing.
Now, the good news: We haven't had any incidences of bed bugs in Vilas County reported - yet!
But, because we have a very transient population of tourists, the Vilas County Public Health Department believes it is important to share information about bed bugs. The greatest risk for encountering bed bugs appears to be while people are traveling. Regardless of the type of accommodations you stay at, it is a good precaution to check your room. Check around the headboard and adjacent area of the bed. Also inspect luggage stands or other areas where suitcases are typically set down.
The best way to determine if an area is infestated is to look for bed bugs where you sleep (or rest) and where you typically set down luggage (or bags) when you enter the room. Your luggage and places where your luggage may be stored are also some of the first areas to look. In bedrooms, look particularly around box springs, mattresses, bed frames, tufts, folds, and buttons on mattresses, furniture, such as desks and chairs, behind wall paper, clocks and pictures, cracks in wood floors, and under the edge of carpet. While bed bugs are most commonly found in bedrooms, infestations can also occur in other rooms, including: bathrooms; living rooms; and laundry rooms. Inspect your luggage when you get home after a trip for any bed bugs that may have escaped your earlier attention.
Be aware of any unexplained bites you may find in the morning; that could be the result of bed bugs. Dark blood spots on sheets and bedding may indicate bed bug feeding. Bed bugs will sometimes excrete while they are feeding. This results in darker (reddish or brownish) spots or smears placed on bed sheets, pillowcases and mattresses, or in nearby areas. This material is composed mostly of digested blood and the stains are very characteristic.
Other sources may be associated with the scavenging of used furniture. Residents and tenants are strongly cautioned against "scavenging" beds and furniture that have seemingly been discarded and left by the curb for disposal, or behind places of business. Bed bug infestations are not limited to beds and mattresses, and they can be found on tables, drawers, and even electronics if these items were located in a bedroom or other place that could support an infestation.
There is an in-depth article on the CDC web site about bed bugs for more detailed information and a manual produced by the state of Michigan. For guidelines to help you solve bed bug problems view this brochure (PDF).
If you suspect an infestation it is strongly recommended that you seek professional help to exterminate your home. One new method to determine if you have bed bugs is the use of specially trained dogs. According to entomology researchers at the University of Florida, a well-trained dog can detect a single live bug or egg with 96 percent accuracy. Many pesticides are not effective on bed bugs. In fact the Environmental Protection Agency issued a press release alerting consumers to use care when selecting pesticides for bed bug control.
Because bed bug infestations are so difficult to control, there have been situations where pesticides that are not intended for indoor residential applications have been improperly used or applied at greater rates than the label allows. While controlling bedbugs is challenging, consumers should never use, or allow anyone else to use, a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use, as indicated on the label. Using the wrong pesticide or using it incorrectly to treat for bedbugs can make you, your family, and your pets sick. It can also make your home unsafe to live in - and may not solve the bedbug problem.
The news release also includes a brief overview of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for bedbug control, safety tips for pesticides, and an overview of EPA activities related to managing the bedbug problem.
Other links:
Bed Bug Fact Sheet for Tenants
What's Working for Bed Bug Control in Multifamily Housing (PDF)
Bed Bugs 101 - Mattress and Box Spring Encasements
Information for Hotel Housekeeping
Choosing a Pest Control Company
Vilas County Public Health Department
Courthouse,
330 Court Street
Eagle River, WI 54521
Phone: 715-479-3656; Fax: 715-479-3741