Health Dept. Press Release

Michael F. Easley, Governor Carmen Hooker Odom, Secretary Debbie Crane, Director

For release: Immediate Date: September 2, 2003
Contact: Carol Schriber or Mark Van Sciver, DHHS Public Information Office (919) 733-9190

RALEIGH—North Carolina’s unusually wet summer seems to have caused an increase in mold complaints in homes, schools, and workplaces. Mold exposure indoors or outdoors can affect people’s health.

Indoors, mold can make people sneeze, irritate their eyes, trigger asthma symptoms, or cause difficulty in breathing. Inhaling airborne mold and fungal spores can cause allergic reactions, including upper respiratory irritation, bronchial irritation, asthma attacks, and hypersensitivity reactions. In rare cases, indoor exposures to mold may cause infectious respiratory disease in people with weak immune systems. Some types of mold can produce toxins that may cause illness when ingested.

About one in 10 people is particularly sensitive to mold. The people at highest risk of health effects from exposure to mold are asthmatics, infants and children, the elderly, immune-compromised patients, and people who already have respiratory conditions.

Mold experts with the North Carolina Division of Public Health say that, while there is currently no universal definition of unacceptable levels of mold, the safest course is to reduce people’s exposure to mold by minimizing the amount of mold growth in any building.

Mold grows where there is moisture. In inspecting buildings for mold, experts look for visible mold growth, check out damp places where mold can grow, and consider exposure pathways—the ways hidden mold might find its way into living or working spaces, such as through air conditioning ducts or holes in ceiling tiles. Air sampling is generally not recommended; visual inspection is more reliable.

Mold spores are found nearly everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. Under the right conditions, mold spores can begin to grow and spread. For mold to grow indoors, it needs the right temperature; organic materials like dust and debris that serve as food; moisture or high humidity; and contact time. All these conditions except for excessive moisture are nearly always present. The one factor that can be controlled best is moisture.

Moisture can come from plumbing leaks; water leaks through roof or walls; flooding; or condensation on building parts (windows, walls, air ducts, etc.) from elevated humidity levels. Indoor humidity should be kept less than 60 percent relative humidity to reduce the possibility of mold growth.

When mold is present, proper clean-up and remediation is important. First, the source of moisture must be eliminated. Then, the mold must be removed. Moldy porous materials, like drywall or fabric or carpeting, must often be thrown out as they can not be thoroughly cleaned. Semi-porous materials like wood can often be cleaned thoroughly, completely dried and reused. Non-porous materials like metal or plastic can also usually be completely cleaned and dried. All visible mold must be removed and the sources of moisture eliminated, or the mold will grow back.

Detergent and water should be used for cleanup. Disinfectants, if used at all, should be used carefully to prevent possible health risks from harsh chemicals. In all cases, it is important to consider protection of the person cleaning up and protection of the building itself. Personal protection should include wearing a breathing mask, keeping your skin covered during exposure and washing thoroughly afterwards. Care should also be given to prevent the spread of mold to other parts of the building.

Public Health staff in the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Section provide information and guidance on mold and moisture issues. Mold facts and cleanup information are on the web at www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/air.html. You may also call the Department of Health and Human Services’ CARE-LINE Information and Referral service at 1-800-662-7030 (TTY/English/Espanol) for further information. CARE-LINE hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except state holidays.

Location: 101 Blair Drive * Adams Building * Dorothea Dix Hospital Campus * Raleigh, N.C. 27603
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Release: Immediate                                                                                       Contact: Christine Miller, DEH 919-715-3204
                                                                                                                                      Kate Pipkin, WRC 919-662-4323
Date: September 4, 2003                                                                              Distribution: Statewide

RALEIGH – Dove season opened Sept. 1, and hunters should not be concerned that handling or eating the birds will transmit West Nile virus or other mosquito-borne illnesses. No evidence exists that West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) or LaCrosse virus are spread in any manner other than from mosquito bites, so preventing bites is central to protecting against the diseases. The Wildlife Resources Commission and the Division of Environmental Health recommend that hunters take normal precautions when preparing and eating game, including wearing gloves, washing hands after handling birds, and thoroughly cooking meat.

Hunters often remain still for long periods, making them inviting targets for mosquitoes. Hunters should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and mosquito-transmitted diseases. To avoid mosquito bites, wear long sleeves and long pants and use a mosquito repellent containing DEET at concentrations of 30 percent or less. DEET products should be used according to label instructions.

WNV, EEE and Lacrosse are transmitted by mosquitoes. Wild birds serve as natural hosts for the viruses. Mosquitoes bite the birds and then can transmit the viruses to humans and animals. A person can’t catch the diseases from another person or an infected animal. North Carolina has recorded human cases of all three diseases this year — six cases of WNV, including one contracted outside North Carolina, one case of EEE, and six cases of LaCrosse. Currently, no vaccine for humans is available for any of these illnesses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. Twenty percent of the people infected with WNV will develop West Nile fever, which is a mild illness with fever, headaches, body aches, an occasional skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. The CDC estimates that only one in 150 people infected with WNV will experience severe infection, called West Nile encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or meningoencephalitis, a combination of both. Symptoms of severe infection include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. People over 50 years old have the highest risk of severe disease and possible death. The incubation period in humans is usually three to 15 days.

EEE is a rare disease that attacks the central nervous system, causes inflammation of the brain and can be fatal to animals and humans. About 50 percent of human EEE cases are fatal, with young children and the elderly most at risk. Symptoms can develop from a few days to two weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. They include rapid onset of fever and headache and can resemble a case of the flu.

Survivors of EEE infections may suffer from long-term effects to the nervous system. Therapy is limited to treating the symptoms of the disease; there is no specific cure.

La Crosse virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness in North Carolina. It is found predominantly in the western part of the state. On average, 70 cases of La Crosse virus occur annually in the United States. In 2002, North Carolina had 20 cases of La Crosse. La Crosse is rarely fatal, although a Transylvania County girl died from the disease in 2001.

Anyone exhibiting the symptoms listed above should contact his or her health care provider.

Contact Dante' Patterson, Lincoln County CIO, with questions or comments about this web site. "Flying Flags" courtesy of Riad Dagher Copyright © 1997 Lincoln County Government Last modified: October 01, 2008

Contact Dante' Patterson, Lincoln County CIO, with questions or comments about this web site.
"Flying Flags" courtesy of Riad Dagher
Copyright © 1997 Lincoln County Government
Last modified: October 01, 2008