West Nile Virus
06/08/06
Dear Friends:
One of my priorities as mayor is to build strong families
and healthy communities. That means taking steps to keep our city’s
citizens and visitors healthy.
As summer approaches, Public Health - Seattle and King County reminds us
of the threat of West Nile Virus, a disease that infected people in surrounding
states last year.
West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that was first detected in Washington
State in birds and horses in 2002. The virus also infected mosquitoes, one
bird and one horse in Central Washington last year. While there has not been
a human case reported in Washington, our neighboring states have reported
human cases. Washington and Maine remain the only two states in the lower
48 that have not yet had human infections.
Most people bitten by an infected mosquito do not get sick, but 20 percent
of those infected experience mild to severe flu-like symptoms. Less than one
percent of those infected develops a life-threatening illness.
I urge you to protect yourself and loved ones from mosquito bites. If you
choose, you can use insect repellent with DEET or an effective alternative
product. All city departments have repellent for employees to use while on
the job. Talk to your department's safety officer or West Nile Virus coordinator.
Mosquitoes need only a small amount of standing water to breed. Identify
and eliminate standing water at city facilities where possible. Report problems
to your supervisor or West Nile Virus coordinator.
Citizen calls asking general questions about West Nile
Virus should be referred to Public Health's West Nile Virus hotline at (206)
205-3883. Inquiries from citizens or employees about standing water or mosquitoes
on city properties should be referred to the West Nile Virus coordinator
for the city department that owns the facility/property. If you are unsure
who owns the facility/property, please refer inquiries to Sheila Strehle,
our citywide coordinator for West Nile Virus response at (206) 684-5846.
For general information, a list of city department West Nile Virus coordinators,
and for city employee Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.seattle.gov/util and click on “About West
Nile Virus.”
Sincerely,
GREG NICKELS
Mayor
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