skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

New Mexico Has First Confirmed Human West Nile Case of 2014

play audio
Play

Monday, August 25, 2014   

SANTA FE, N.M. - As August draws to a close health officials in New Mexico have confirmed the states first human case of 2014 of the potentially fatal West Nile virus. Dr. Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian with the New Mexico Department of Health, says a 45-year-old woman from San Juan County is recovering at home after contracting a virus that has killed several people across the state.

"Last year we had 38 cases, and unfortunately three fatalities with those cases," Ettestad says. "The most we've ever had is 2003. That year we had 209 cases and four fatalities."

Ettestad says the West Nile virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes earlier in the summer, and eventually makes its way to humans and horses through mosquito bites.

With the continuing rainfall, mosquito populations can be expected to increase. Ettestad says, when outdoors the best defense is using insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing and doing your best to avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors when they're out.

"Mosquitoes are most active from dusk till dawn," says Ettestad. "You can also minimize your risk by trying to eliminate water-holding containers, like old tires, where mosquitoes lay their eggs."

Ettestad says in people, West Nile can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. A small percentage of those infected can develop meningitis or encephalitis, infections that attack the brain and can be fatal, especially in people over age 50.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …


Environment

play sound

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …

Social Issues

play sound

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …


So far in 2024, community health centers in North Dakota have screened 11,580 patients for food insecurity. Through those screenings, more than three thousand box meals have been distributed. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

September is Hunger Action Month. In North Dakota, it isn't just food banks trying to help underserved populations get nutritious items. Health …

Environment

play sound

Marine biologists conducting deep dives near five California islands are collecting data they hope will strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing…

AI queries require about 10 times the electricity of traditional internet searches and the generation of original music, photos and videos requires much more, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

Environment

play sound

Rising demands for clean energy efficiency are producing a wealth of work opportunities in Illinois. These in-demand jobs are also promoting a …

Social Issues

play sound

Like polling from other battleground states, the race for the White House remains close in Wisconsin. But fresh numbers out this week show some …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021