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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2005)
Page 10 The INDEPENDENT, April 21, 2005 Health Notes 2005 West Nile Virus Update Most cases of West Nile Virus infection result in no symptoms or mild, flu-like symptoms that last from a few days to several weeks. In rare cases (less than 1 percent of cases), the virus can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis or meningitis). Encephalitis and meningitis interfere with brain and spinal cord func- tions. Even in these severe cases, the virus is only fatal in 3 percent of cases. West Nile Virus did reach Oregon in 2004. The first Oregon case was identified in Vale (Malheur County) on August 13, 2004. No cases have yet been reported from Columbia or Washington Counties. The virus is transmitted to humans from mosquitoes that become infected by feeding on birds that are already infected by West Nile Virus. The virus can also in- fect horses, though humans cannot get the virus directly from horses or birds. In 1999, when the virus was first identified in the United States, there were 62 cases with seven deaths in the New York area. In 2004, there were 2,470 cases in the U.S. with 88 deaths report- ed. As of January 11, 2005, Oregon has had three cases with no deaths. The key to preventing West Nile Virus is to reduce or eliminate contact with mosquitoes: • Eliminate standing water in tires, buckets, tree stumps, or even clogged gutters. • Replace water weekly in outdoor containers, including bird baths. • Plant mosquito eating fish in ponds and water troughs. • Maintain screens on windows and doors. • Wear long sleeves and long pants. • Use an insect repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). • Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn and from April through October. • Vitamin B and “ultrasonic” devices are NOT effective in preventing mosquito bites. The likelihood of being infected continues to be very low. Most mosquitoes don’t have the virus. Even if a mosquito is infected, less than 1 percent of people who get infected get severely ill. The best defense continues to be avoiding mos- quito bites as much as possible. Who Makes the Best Hearing Aids, and How Much Do They Cost? Get The Consumers Guide To Learn This and Much More! ✓ What is the best brand for you? ✓ How much do hearing aids cost? ✓ What you should expect from new hearing aids? Compares 28 Major Hearing Aid Brands For a FREE copy, call: 1-800-452-3750 Offered to the public by Willoughby Hearing Aid Center Inc. 1939 E. Burnside St. Portland OR, 97214 Above, the start of the Ore- gon Road Runners Club 1/2 Marathon on April 9 from An- derson Park to Buxton, 13.1 miles. KARMEL’S FLOWER PATCH Floral, Silk & Dried Arrangements, Plants, Books, Gifts For All Occasions & More 859 Bridge St., Vernonia 503-429-9273 A GALIS N ETWORK S ERVICES Evening Chat on new yoga therapy On Monday, April 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Marie Pielage, PT and Brant Rogers, RYT, will re- view research that reflects yoga’s value as a complement to medical treatment for many physical and psychological conditions. Yoga therapy is a new con- cept that differs from the recre- ational yoga typically available in the community. Participants High Speed W ireless Internet. As fast as DSL for less cost. Domain Services with a wide range of conditions – diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, depression, heart dis- ease and others – have found better mobility, health, and a sense of well-being through a thoughtful therapeutic yoga practice. At this seminar, there will be demonstrations and discussion about therapeutic yoga pos- tures and methods of practice, along with shared stories about participants who have benefit- ed from therapeutic yoga This seminar will be held at Tuality Health Education Center, 334 SE Eighth Ave., Hillsboro. Low cost registration and hosting . Unlimited Dialup Mother’s Day Special $5 off 1 hour session $10 off 90 minute session gift certificates available Call for appointment Therapeutic Massage, Acupressure, Deep Tissue Massage, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology 503-709-4677 ASHN provider 845 Madison Avenue, Vernonia,OR Lic # 10732 Surf up to 5x faster w ith dialup accelerator included FREE. Local Areas W ireless Internet Heather Ln. to Cherry St., Dow ntow n Vernonia Timber Rd./Hw y 47 Jct. to the Golf Course Check your email from anyw here using Ag alis' Webmail. All Agalis Internet accounts include: Email accounts, Email Virus & SPAM filtering, FREE Internet related support. Website: www.agalis.net Phone: 503-201-1846 Owned and Operated in Vernonia since 1998 LLC Come join us for a latte and a lunch! 831 Bridge Street Vernonia, Oregon Open Daily 6 – 6 503-429-0214