1. Emergency Preparedness Against West Nile Virus Among Older Adult DeKalb County Citizens Gwena S. Copeland, MPH Student Walden University PUBH Instructor: Robert Marino Fall Quarter, 2010
Good Morning - My name is Gwena Copeland. I am currently studying as a 1st year MPH student at Walden University. I recently took an interest in the West Nile Virus case rate here in DeKalb County. After reading several reports in the local news, I wanted to assist public health officials in hopes of decreasing the number of new cases among older adults. Target audience for this presentation include adults over the age of 50 years old.

2. Agenda Give Helpful Resources to Control Future Cases
Introduce Virus Information
Offer Ways to Prevent Infection
Give Helpful Resources to Control Future Cases
I have been asked by the Georgia Department of Human Resources - Division of Aging Services to introduce some of you to a deadly virus, offer ways to protect yourself, friends, neighbors, and family members, and to give you helpful resources to control future cases.

3. Learning Outcomes
Describe the animal (host) that causes West Nile Virus
Define some of the places or areas that may be breeding grounds
Recognize the signs or symptoms of the virus
Develop preventive habits to decrease your risk of contracting the virus
After this presentation you should be able to effectively discuss the learning outcomes with your friends, neighbor, and family members to further increase awareness about the West Nile Virus in DeKalb County.

4. Facts About West Nile Virus
First emerged during 1999 among humans, horses, and wild birds in New York City
Spread by infected mosquitoes who bite infected birds which are carrying the virus
Mosquitoes have a quick breeding cycle- from 10 to 14 days to become biting adults
Seasonal epidemic that flares up during the summer and fall months (CDC, 2006)
No vaccine or treatment to protect people from the virus
Georgia is one of the states that receives funding to monitor the spread of the West Vile Virus in other regions
Here a few basic facts about the West Nile virus, so that you can understand just how serious of a health issue this is in DeKalb County.
Georgia Department of Human Resources. DHR urges older adults to protect themselves from mosquitoes bites. Retrieved from .

5. Signs and Symptoms Severe headache High fever Stiff Neck Paralysis
Tremors( shaking)
Muscle Weakness
Coma
Inflammation of the brain known as encephalitis
Here is a list of the most common signs and symptoms that may occur 6 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2006). West Nile Virus- What you Need to Know. Retrieved from

6. Transmission Cycle Mosquitoes who feed on the infected birds
Birds infected with WNV
Mosquitoes who feed on the infected birds
Mosquitoes with the virus bite humans
As you can see, this is the life cycle of the West Nile Virus.
DeKalb County Board of Health (2010). Environmental Health- West Nile Virus. Retrieved from

7. Who is at Risk People with compromised immune systems
Being outside means you are at risk
People over age 50 have the highest risk
There are two main groups of people who are at risk of contracting the West Nile virus. People who are over the age of 50 are the greatest risk of becoming ill after an infected mosquito bite.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006). West Nile Virus- What you need to know. Retrieved from

8. How to prevent mosquito bites
Avoid outdoor activity between dawn and dusk
Use insect repellant with EPA - approved active ingredient
Wear long- sleeves, long pants, and socks
There are some ways in order to protect your self from being bitten by mosquitoes. Use extra care during peak biting hours from dusk to dawn. Always apply insect repellent containing DEET if you go outside during peak hours. Another way to reduce the chances of being bitten is to wear long – sleeves, long pants, and socks when out in the yard.
DeKalb County Board of Health (2010). Environmental Health- West Nile Virus. Retrieved from

9. Protect Yourself and Family from West Nile virus
Mosquitoes need water to breed
Remove areas of standing water
Dispose of old tires and remove trash regularly
Repair leaky pipes and keep gutters clean
Reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home
Install or repair window screens
Eliminating mosquito breeding sites around your home and community is the first step toward prevention. Remove any containers that hold water, like plant dishes, toys, and buckets. Recycle old tires and remove all trash immediately. Drain or change bird baths, pet food containers, and wading pool water at least twice a week. In order to reduce the number of mosquitoes who may be infected from around your home- install or repair broken window screens.
DeKalb County Board of Health (2010). Environmental Health- West Nile Virus. Retrieved from

10. DeKalb County Health news about West Nile Virus
Here is a map of all of the West Nile Virus cases throughout the state of Georgia. This is an ongoing problem that can be prevented by providing more people with helpful information.
DeKalb County Health Board of Health. (2008). Environmental Health. Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. Retrieved from

11. Current News Cont.
5 DeKalb County residents have been diagnosed with the West Nile virus this year
Health officials warn that mosquitoes can survive in temperatures as low as 50 degrees
Here are a few more key facts about the virus to help you see just how important it is for all members age 50 and older to diligently become more aware and proactive in decreasing unhealthy outcomes from the West Nile Virus.
Atlanta Journal Constitution. (AJC). (2010). Five in DeKalb Diagnosed with West Nile. Retrieved from

12. Goals for Mosquito Control
Personal Protection
Protection at Home
Local, State and Federal Government Control Programs- DeKalb County Board of Health (DBH), Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Health Protection (EPA) play a critical role in protecting the public
Here at the main goals for maintaining mosquito control learning the ways in which to personally protection yourself, protecting your home environment, and local programs that can assist you if needed.
Environmental Health Protection (EPA) (2007). Pesticides: Mosquito Control. Retrieved from

13. References
Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) .(2010). Five in DeKalb Diagnosed with West Nile. Retrieved from html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2006). West Nile Virus- What you need to know. Retrieved from DeKalb County Health Board of Health. (2008). Environmental Health. Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. Retrieved from

14. References Cont.
DeKalb County Board of Health (2010). Environmental Health- West Nile Virus. Retrieved from Environmental Health Protection (EPA) (2007). Pesticides: Mosquito Control. Retrieved from Georgia Department of Human Resources. DHR urges older adults to protect themselves from mosquitoes bites. Retrieved from

15. Sources for further reading
Please feel free to ask me about any questions or comments concerning the West Nile Virus. You can find more information by clicking on the links provided in the Sources for Further Reading section or you may me at Thank you for your time and patience.