Sandra Collins This is Me

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1. 1. Welcome To Observer & Eccentric Newspapers

   www.observer-eccentric.com/fea - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/7/2002   Last Visited: 6/7/2002

   "Less than one percent of the mosquito population is infected, and the chances of getting the virus are very slim," said Sandra Collins, public health information manager, Wayne County Department of Public Health. "We want people to maintain their regular summer activities, but just exercise a little extra precaution and avoid mosquito exposure."
   
   The virus, which was identified in 1999 in the United States and in August 2001 in Michigan, is transmitted to humans and other animals through mosquito bites. Mosquitos become infected with West Nile virus when they feed on birds carrying it. The virus is not transmitted from person to person.
   
   ...
   Most humans infected with the virus either have no symptoms or suffer only mild illness, Collins said, adding the chances of becoming severely ill, if infected, are "less than one percent."
   
   Symptoms and illness
   
   In fact, Centers for Disease Control studies show one in four infected persons have only mild illness characterized by fever, headache and body aches. In some cases, symptoms include skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
   
   Symptoms would likely occur three to 15 days after an infected mosquito bite, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.
   ...
   "You should also try to avoid the outdoors when mosquito activity is high, which is dawn, dusk and the early evening hours," Collins said, adding, "It's better to be safe than sorry."
   
   When going outdoors, wear protective clothing, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and use of an insect repellent containing 35 percent DEET.
   
   Special care should be taken when applying insect repellent to children because of their hand and mouth habits, so be sure to follow manufacturer's guidelines. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends insect repellent with 10 percent DEET for children, said Collins.
   
   To safeguard your house, make sure all windows and doors have tight-fitting screens and replace those with tears, holes or damage.

2. 2. West Nile virus alert expands - 05/30/02

   www.detnews.com/2002/wayne/020 - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/4/2002   Last Visited: 6/4/2002

   We don't want any stone unturned," said Sandra Collins, public health information coordinator for Wayne County. "This program will help children identify mosquito-breeding sites around their home and neighborhoods and assist their parents in eliminating standing water that attracts mosquitoes." During the elementary school program, Collins taught Merriman sixth-graders how to better protect themselves. "I've learned a lot of important information that I can now share with others like my cousins, who have a little pool that they will need to be more careful with," said Desiray Vasquez, a Merriman sixth-grader who gave a class report on West Nile during the health department program. Students learned that female mosquitoes need two things to produce eggs: a blood meal and water. A mosquito can lay more than 200 eggs at a time. The insects breed in empty cans, pet dishes, kiddie pools, bird baths, tire swings, rain barrels, wheelbarrows, toys and tree holes. Students have been encouraged to check these and other places for stagnant water that should be dumped. Other advice from educators included staying inside as much as possible when mosquito activity is heavy -- dawn, dusk and early evening.

3. 3. W. Nile virus alert expands - 05/30/02

   www.detnews.com/2002/wayne/020 - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/30/2002   Last Visited: 5/30/2002

   We don't want any stone unturned," said Sandra Collins, public health information coordinator for Wayne County. "This program will help children identify mosquito-breeding sites around their home and neighborhoods and assist their parents in eliminating standing water that attracts mosquitoes." During the elementary school program, Collins taught Merriman sixth-graders how to better protect themselves. "I've learned a lot of important information that I can now share with others like my cousins, who have a little pool that they will need to be more careful with," said Desiray Vasquez, a Merriman sixth-grader who gave a class report on West Nile during the health department program. Students learned that female mosquitoes need two things to produce eggs: a blood meal and water. A mosquito can lay more than 200 eggs at a time. The insects breed in empty cans, pet dishes, kiddie pools, bird baths, tire swings, rain barrels, wheelbarrows, toys and tree holes. Students have been encouraged to check these and other places for stagnant water that should be dumped. Other advice from educators included staying inside as much as possible when mosquito activity is heavy -- dawn, dusk and early evening.