Preparedness helped state avoid West Nile deaths

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- State health officials say preparation helped Oklahoma avoid human deaths from the West Nile virus. <br><br>There have been four human cases of the virus in Oklahoma, but no deaths.

Thursday, October 3rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- State health officials say preparation helped Oklahoma avoid human deaths from the West Nile virus.

There have been four human cases of the virus in Oklahoma, but no deaths.

A 104-thousand dollar federal grant two years ago allowed the state to create a West Nile surveillance and detection system.

The first confirmed case of the virus was found in a dead bird in Tulsa in July.

Officials were ready to inform residents and aggressively begin spraying breeding areas of mosquitoes, which carry the disease.

Assistant state epidemiologist Doctor Kristy Bradley says the state recently received another 200-thousand dollar federal grant to continue fighting the virus.

The West Nile continues to be a threat until the first freeze kills the mosquito population.