Hantavirus Alert

A 28-year-old Alamosa County woman has died from hantavirus, the first case of the disease in Colorado this year, health officials said. The source of the infection had not been determined by Tuesday, said John Pape, an epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Pape said a preliminary investigation indicated she contracted the virus in her home, which he said is not unusual.

Hantavirus is commonly spread through exposure to infected deer mice. Humans can be infected by inhaling the virus during direct contact with the mice or if dust or feces from mice nests is disturbed. Colorado typically has four to six hantavirus cases a year. Last year, the state had six cases, including one death; in 2005, there were 11 cases including one death, Pape said.

If you have evidence of rodent activity in your home or in out-buildings such as sheds, garages, barns, etc., the following precautions are recommended for cleaning these areas:

• Any household disinfectant will work, but a solution of household bleach and water works well (1 cup of bleach per gallon of water). Wear rubber gloves.
• Open doors and windows and allow the interior to air out for at least 30 minutes before cleaning or working inside.
• Spray droppings, nest material and carcasses with the disinfectant and let soak 5 to 10 minutes before cleaning up with a mop, sponge or wet-vacuum. DO NOT SWEEP OR DRY VACUUM RODENT DROPPINGS! Wear a dust mask as an additional precaution.
• After disinfecting, dispose of dead mice or contaminated materials in plastic trash bags, seal and place in an outdoor trash container.
• If a building is heavily infested or cannot be completely ventilated, the use of a respirator is recommended. The respirator should seal tightly to the face and be equipped with a HEPA filter (N-100 NIOSH rating).

Additional information may be obtained from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website at www.cdphe.state.co.us, from the Fremont County website at www.fremontco.com or by calling Fremont County Environmental Health at 276-7460. Pamphlets on hantavirus in English and Spanish are available at the Fremont County Environmental Health office at 615 Macon, Room 212, Canon City, CO.

May 8th Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners appointed a new Veterans Service Officer, made some 2007 budget amendments, and conducted a public hearing on some language amendments to the county zoning resolution dealing primarily with definitions for group homes and assisted living facilities.

The Commissioners approved a resolution appointing Betty Hanawalt as the new Fremont County Veterans Service Officer for a two year term. She replaces Nelson Liskow who retired from the part time position in March. Hanawalt noted to the board that not only was she an enlisted person she also is a disabled veteran who is very familiar with the needs of veterans. Hanawalt will have office hours of 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday in the County Administration Building.

The Commissioners approved a $751,190 amendment to the 2007 county budget. Most of that money represents the accounting for grant funding. Finance Officer Dana Angel explained for instance that the largest amount, $350,000, is a Community Development Block Grant received by Starpoint of Canon City so they can acquire new offices on South 8th Street in Canon. The county served only as a sponsor for the grant so the money was received and then distributed to Starpoint. Angel said a $194,000 mineral impact grant was also accounted for in the amendment which paid for the reconstruction of County Road #132 in the Upper Beaver Creek area following last July's flash flood.

There was a $50,000 amount in the budget amendment to pay for restoring two office positions in the Planning and Zoning Office and Human Resources. The Commissioners determined those positions should be restored after hearing that the work loads had increased significantly for other staff members. There was also a $17,000 amendment to the Road and Bridge budget. It utilizes part of savings from a vacancy in District 3 to purchase a used gravel screener so the county might be able to screen large amounts of gravel at several county gravel pits in western Fremont County.

The Commissioners conducted a public hearing on proposed amendments to the county zoning resolution. The board approved a change adding wording of "abandoned or dismantled mobile homes" to the definition of 'junk', and approved an extension in the time frame for the Commissioners to issue final decisions on zone changes, conditional use permits, special review use permits, and site development plans from 20 days to 45 days. The Commissioners said the extra time would allow sufficient study of technical issues that accompany voluminous applications.

The Commissioners tabled until June 12th consideration of new definitions for group homes and assisted living facilities saying they wanted to consider possible thresholds for the number of living units in considering whether a permitted use or when special review use would be necessary.

In other business the Commissioners:

• reappointed Dean Sandoval to another three year term on the Planning Commission and thanked him for his nine years of service;
• approved a resolution designating that the fall 2007 election will be a mail ballot election;
• approved a fifth amendment to the engineering contract for the new bridge on County Road #95 north of Coal Creek paying S.E.H. Engineers another $8,428;
• and scheduled a public hearing on June 12th for a special review use permit for Gene Holmes of Salida to operate a recreational cable ride known as "Captain Zipline" close to Highway 50 in the Wellsville area.
  

West Nile Virus Season Returns

With our warm spring weather and showers, the mosquitoes will be appearing and that means the return of West Nile Virus!

In 2006, Fremont County had one confirmed human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) out of 345 human cases statewide. There were seven deaths in Colorado from West Nile Virus last year.

With the onset of mosquito season, it's a good idea to review general information about West Nile Virus and precautions to avoid the disease. West Nile Virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito with an incubation period of 3-14 days following the bite. People who contract West Nile Virus disease may start to have symptoms as early as 3-4 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and symptoms include:

• Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. Contact your medical provider if you experience any of these severe symptoms.
  Milder Symptoms in Some People.
• Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.
• No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
  

Late summer is the time for the greatest mosquito activity in Colorado, but precautions should be taken through the entire WNV season including:

1. When weather permits, wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Using insect repellants containing DEET.
2. Eliminating or limiting the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold water such as standing water in ponds, ditches, clogged rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, jars and cans.
3. Also check for items that might hold water including wheelbarrows, tires, hubcaps, toys, garden equipment, pool covers, tarps, plastic sheeting, pipes, drains, boats, canoes, recycling bins and trash.
4. Keeping mosquitoes outside by having well-fitting screens on both windows and doors.

If you spend time outside and you use products containing DEET, remember that the DEET may have to be reapplied:

• Repellants containing 25% DEET can protect for up to 5 hours.
• Repellants containing 20% DEET can protect for up to 4 hours.
• Repellants containing 6.65% DEET can protect for up to 2 hours.
• Repellants containing 4.75% DEET can protect for up to 1.5 hours

Products containing DEET above 30% don't provide better protection. Use products containing 10% to 30% DEET on children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, products containing DEET at a concentration of 10% appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30% when used according to the directions on the product labels. AAP recommends that repellents with DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old.

Bti briquettes will be available again this year from the CSU Extension Office, Room LL10, Fremont County Administration Building, 615 Macon, Canon City, CO. A flat of 20 briquettes will cost $15. These briquettes biologically control mosquito larvae and are designed to be placed in standing water to kill larvae for up to 30 days. The Bti briquettes are also available commercially at most local hardware stores and garden centers.

Fremont County and Canon City will continue to monitor mosquitoes under a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment in 2007. A sentinel zone will be established and mosquito light traps will be set out within the defined zone with an emphasis on testing in summer to provide early indication of the severity of the WNV season. Mosquitoes will be collected and submitted for testing.

Additional information about WNV is available at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website at www.cdphe.state.co.us and at www.FighttheBiteColorado.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sid Darden, Fremont County Environmental Health Officer at 276-7460 or J.R. Phillips at 276-7317.

Tourism Council Vacancy

The Fremont County Board of Commissioners is soliciting letters of interest from Fremont County residents for appointment to the balance of a three year term on the Fremont County Tourism Council (FCTC). The Tourism Council develops and administers a Tourism Marketing Plan for Fremont County utilizing the proceeds from the Fremont County Lodging Tax.

FCTC members are required to attend monthly meetings as well as any special meetings as voted upon by the council. Periodic attendance at other community meetings pertaining to tourism issues may also be necessary. These positions involve voluntary service with no compensation.

Your letter of interest addressed to the Fremont County Board of Commissioners must be received at the Commissioners Office in Room 105 of the Fremont County Administration Building, 615 Macon Avenue, Canon City, CO 81212 no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, May 31st.

Your employment or ownership in a tourism related business as defined by the Colorado Tourism Office will be a determining factor in the FCTC recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. Your employment or ownership in a tourism related business as detailed in the FCTC by-laws will be considered by the Board of Commissioners in making their appointment.

Any questions regarding the Tourism Council vacancy can be directed to FCTC Chairman Mike Bandera at 275-7507.