The care-free days of summer fun also carry with them an underlying threat of disease. Help protect yourself and your family by learning about the diseases of West Nile Virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and know the precautions you can take against these potentially life-threatening diseases.

west nile virus
Hotter days mean more mosquitoes. And more mosquitoes can lead to outbreaks of West Nile Virus.
Although there is no way to predict the number of cases that will occur this summer, it is expected that there will be fewer than last year, when the disease first appeared in Texas, says Jim Schuermann, epidemiologist for the Texas Department of Health.
Last year, a total of 202 serious West Nile cases, including 13 deaths, were reported in humans. Fourteen cases were reported in Travis County — one human, one bird and 12 horses. There have been no human deaths in Travis County.
Most people infected with the West Nile Virus will not show symptoms. Some, however, may have a fever, headache, body aches and swollen lymph nodes. A small number may develop encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord).
People that were infected last year have made antibodies and won’t be susceptible to the disease this year, Schuermann says. “It’s also turning out to be a pretty dry year, so there will be fewer mosquitoes.”
The Texas Department of Health recommends that people wear long sleeves and pants if they plan on spending time outside this summer.. “But this is really impractical for Texas summers,” Schuermann says. “Heat stroke is a much bigger risk than West Nile. If you’re going to be outside, just cover up as much skin as possible and use a mosquito repellent containing at least 35 percent DEET.
West Nile was first discovered in the United States in 1999, and has been spreading itself across the country. Wild birds and horses are the only animals known so far to have ever been infected with the virus.

severe acute respiratory syndrome (sarS)
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a flu-like illness known as SARS, is the first major new infectious disease of the 21st century and is taking full advantage of the opportunities for rapid international spread afforded by a closely interconnected and highly mobile society, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Of the seven suspected cases reported in Texas, one patient was from Travis County. As of May 7, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 262 “suspect” and 63 “probable” cases of SARS, in the United States. Worldwide, at least 7,000 probable SARS cases, including 500 deaths, have been reported from 29 countries.
All of the suspected cases in Texas occurred in people who had traveled to Hong Kong, Singapore or the Guangdong province of China. WHO is now recommending that people planning to travel to certain areas of Hong Kong, Bejing and certain provinces in China consider postponing all but essential travel. A travel advisory had also been issued for Toronto, Canada, but it has since been lifted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first symptom of SARS is usually a fever higher than 100.4F. Other symptoms may include headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms. After two to seven days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing. Most sufferers recover with hospital care.
If a person suspects they have the illness, they should make sure health-care providers know about any recent travel to places where the illness has been reported or whether they have had contact with someone who had a fever or respiratory symptoms. Heath-care workers and those caring for someone with SARS are also at a higher risk for the disease.
The CDC offers some common-sense measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of SARS that also apply to many other infectious diseases. The most important is frequent hand washing with soap and water or use of alcohol-based hand rubs. In addition, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands and encourage people around you to cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. For more information, visit the CDC Web site for SARS at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars.

Ways to reduce your chances of becoming infected with The west nile virus this summer

Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening, when mosqui- toes are most active.

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.

Spray clothing with insect repellents containing permethrin or DEET, as mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.

Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent may contain 35 percent DEET. Repellents would harm both the eyes and mouth, so don’t apply them to the hands of children.

It does not appear that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, use gloves or double plastic bags when handling any dead animals, including birds, just to be safe.

If you leave your house windows open, make sure they have screens.

Do not allow water to stagnate in old tires, flowerpots, trash containers, swimming pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, and so forth.

Source: The City of Austin Health and Human Services Department.