July 05, 2005

Health Department Confirms First Human Death Attributed to West Nile Virus

The State Health Department says it is not investigating any additional cases of West Nile Virus, although it has confirmed the first death linked to the disease this year. It was reported by the Adair County Health Department in Kirksville. The elderly man's name has not been released. It's been a couple of weeks since the first mosquitoes with the virus were identified in Missouri and a week or so since the first dead bird with it was found. Doctor Howard Pue at the State Health Department says people need to take standard anti-mosquito precautions. He says there's also a new product on the market with Precaridin in it. He says it's been used in Europe and has just been recently cleared for use here.

Saint Louis University to Evaluate Anti-Smoking Initiative

Saint Louis University is going to keep track of whether the anti-smoking initiative launched by the Missouri Foundation for Health is working. The Foundation is investing about $40.5-Million during the next nine years to discourage tobacco use in the state. And, Nancy Mueller with Saint Louis University's Center for Tobacco Policy Research, says evaluations of the Foundation's initiatives will be made on a regular basis. One of the ideas being considered is a call to increase excise taxes on tobacco products. Mueller says a lot of experts believe a tax hike will lead to a decrease in tobacco use, but it will be good to put that belief to the test by backing it up with results. Mueller says the evaluations are appreciated because the Foundation has an interest in making sure the money is well spent.

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