The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, May 31, 2000, Page 2, Image 2
Carolina News
S.C. officials initiate virus plan
’ Associated Press
Charleston — State and local
health officials have met with repre
sentatives from the military to develop
a plan in case the West Nile virus should
appear in South Carolina.
The Culex mosquito, thought by sci
entists to transmit the virus to humans,
is native to South Carolina and several
other states. Thom Berry, spokesman for
the Department of Health and Environ
mental Control, said there had been no
reports of the virus in South Carolina,
but officials were monitoring the mos
quito population as a precaution.
‘ 'We haven’t seen any evidence yet,
but we want to be sure just in case,” Berry
said.
Martin Hyatt, superintendent of
Charleston County Mosquito Control,
said local health officials would monitor
mosquito populations in the Lowcoun
try, where there are more than 50 dif
ferent species of mosquito.
°We should just keep our guard up
and monitor,” Hyatt said.
The flu-like virus is carried by some
species of mosquitos and migratory birds.
Seven people died and 62 more fell
sick last year from the West Nile virus,
which previously had never been docu
mented in the Western Hemisphere.
Those infected can develop a form
of encephalitis. Most infections are mild
and symptoms include fever, headache,
body aches, often with skin rash and
swollen lymph glands. More severe in
fections may include headache, high fever,
neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation and
coma.
Berry said people should see a doc
tor of they experience the sudden onset
of any combination of these symptoms.
State officials also encourage people
to help keep mosquito populations un
der control by eliminating standing wa
ter around their homes. Lisa Waddell,
DHEC’s deputy commissioner for health
services, said common mosquito breed
ing grounds include used tires, bird baths,
flower pots, pet dishes, toys left outside,
holes in trees, children’s wading pools,
unmaintained swimming pools, boats and
roof gutters.
‘ ’Anywhere water is stagnant can be
come a breeding ground for mosquitoes,”
Whddell said.
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I
REPORT
Compiled by
Miranda LaLonde
and Jonathan Dunagan
Wednesday, May 24
• Grand Larceny, Gambrell Hall.
Complainant stated that a person
forced themselves into Gambrell
Hall rooms 242, 244, 245A and
245B, and removed a Dell laptop
computer, backpack, submaster key
and paperwork with notes. Estimated
value: $3,572. Another complaint
was filed stating that a Macintosh
G3 laptop was taken from Room
230. Estimated value: $3,400.
Friday, May 26
• DUL N. Pickens Street. Police of
ficer observed subject on N. Pick
ens Street stopped at Pickens and
Greene Streets, and then run a red
light. The subject crossed the cen
ter line several times and finally
stopped on Picklens and Pendleton
Streets. The subject had a strong
odor of alcoholic beverages. An ad
ditional police officer arrived, and
it was found that the subject’s li
cense was under suspension for a
previous DUI, and another pending
DUI. The subject was arrested.
Saturday, May 27
• Criminal Domestic Violence, Hey
ward Street. The victim was ob
served running westbound on Hey
ward, being chased by subject. A
police officer detained both. The of
ficer observed bruising and scratch
ing on the victim, and the victim
stated the subject had been abusive.
Subject was arrested for criminal
domestic violence.
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