Mayor Nickels' Message:
West Nile Virus

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.

Public Health - Seattle and King County recently announced our area should expect to see cases of West Nile virus this summer or fall, given that the virus infected people in surrounding states in 2004.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that was detected in Washington state in birds and horses in 2002. While there has not been a human case reported in Washington, our neighboring state of Oregon experienced human cases for the first time last year. 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 by wearing long sleeves, long pants and hats. 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 (departments with significant city infrastructure or properties have these coordinators).

Mosquitoes need only a small amount of standing water to breed. Identify and eliminate standing water at city facilities where possible. Inquiries from citizens or employees about standing water or mosquitoes on city properties should be referred to the WNV 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.

Citizen calls asking general questions about West Nile virus should be referred to Public Health's West Nile virus hotline at (206) 205-3883. Please read the city’s questions-and answers developed in partnership with Public Health, and visit our web site at http://www.seattle.gov/util and click on About West Nile Virus for more information and links to other resources.

Sincerely,

GREG NICKELS
Mayor of Seattle

Posted: May 26, 2005