JACKSON - Mississippi health officials and local leaders are preparing for the West Nile virus peak season by educating the public and searching out the best mosquito control options.
Health Department epidemiologist Sally Slavinski said agency officials have begun meeting with residents in cities across the state, seeking response on last year's "Fight the Bite" campaign.
The campaign was launched in response to last year's West Nile outbreak. Twelve people died of the disease in Mississippi and 193 cases were reported, Slavinski said Monday. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 277 West Nile deaths in the nation in 2002, and 4,161 confirmed cases.
Mosquitos transmit West Nile from birds to people and animals. Already this year, two dead birds in Hinds County have tested positive for the West Nile virus.
"That doesn't really tell us that much," Slavinski said. "We don't know if these are isolated cases or whether it's an indication of what's coming this season. We're continuing the surveillance efforts to identify if there is more activity going on."
Slavinski said the focus group meetings, one of which was held in Hattiesburg on Monday, have been a success.
Most residents have said they rely on television news programs to get the latest developments on the disease, Slavinski said.
"We want to work closely with the media to get out the correct information," she said. "By getting a better idea of the best way to get the message across, that will help us tailor our campaign to the different demographic and geographic areas of the state."
Another focus group is scheduled March 31 in Gulfport - and if resources permit, officials will meet in the Delta, Slavinski said.
Officials have said protection is key. Cleaning up standing water around the home and wearing mosquito repellant are some of the more practical measures people can take to protect themselves.
Helen Chandler of Jackson said she's trying to overcome what appears to be apathy among some neighbors. Last year, Chandler said there were at least four swimming pools at homes in her Pecan Acres neighborhood in Jackson that were neglected, making them breeding grounds for mosquitos.
Chandler said last year informational fliers were distributed to residents in her neighborhood. She said she also purchased larvacide tablets for residents with dirty pools. The tablets are designed to kill immature mosquitos while they are still in water.
"It just didn't seem like people were taking it seriously," she said, adding that she'll schedule a neighborhood meeting in coming weeks.
"I think we need to be concerned. If we don't get started now, it's going to be a big problem," said Chandler, vice president of her neighborhood association.
Slavinski said it's up to local municipalities to handle mosquito control.
That can be costly, said Richard Burke, public works director in Natchez. Burke said the city of 18,000 doesn't have a West Nile epidemic, but he's already preparing for mosquito control.
"It looks like the most cost-effective way is larvacide. If there is an epidemic, we'll start spraying," which is more costly, he said.
Burke said the city set aside about $25,000 for mosquito control.
"But I've already spent half of that on equipment," he said. "No products have been purchased."
Burke said he will attend a state-sponsored mosquito control workshop next week so he can become certified to purchase the pesticides.
Slavinski said the state spent about $1 million on surveillance, research and equipment to combat West Nile. The equipment will allow Mississippi to do its own testing without relying on other states.
Copyright 2003, Associated Press. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
