Mosquitoes told to 'buzz off'
West Nile Virus warning given
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

"Fight the Bite!" is the name of an original educational activity and coloring book the Ripley County Health Department gave to third graders throughout the county's schools before they recessed for the summer.

Developed by Nebulas Group, Inc. for the Ripley County Health Department, the book contains information on West Nile Virus suitable for third grade students to comprehend.

Beginning with the title page, the information to the students says, "Let's tell mosquitoes to 'buzz off' because we don't want West Nile Virus."

And that's exactly the message Ben Peetz in conjunction with the Environmental Division of the Health Department has provided through this project.

Prior to his assignment to educate third graders about the dangers of West Nile Virus, Peetz had prepared the local health department's website as a part of a family-operated business called Nebulas Group, Inc. that includes his father and brother.

Using a power point presentation, Peetz spoke to Milan third graders before school was out warning them about upcoming summer adventures that could put them in touch with West Nile Virus through the bite of an infected mosquito.

After pointing out the need to wear protective clothing, use insect repellant containing DEET, refrain from scratching an insect bite, wash hands often, and keep away from dead birds, Peetz told the third graders the natural habitats of mosquitoes.

He spoke of standing water, water puddles, wooded areas, and explained that there are 51 different kinds of mosquitoes in Indiana - all 51 breed in some type of water.

"This means getting rid of old tires, tin cans, bottles, and other containers which may hold water. It is also important to empty wading pools when not in use...Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than four days."

The coloring/activity book each third grader in the county received from Peetz and the health department informed through pictures and age-appropriate messages that blue jays, crows, falcons, and hawks are highly
sensitive to West Nile Virus.

"If you find a dead bird, do not handle it with bare hands. Please call your local health department and ask if they would like to pick it up for analysis."

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), products containing DEET are the most effective as insect repellants. "They are very safe when used according to directions...Be sure to read the label instructions. Also wear long pants and sleeves after dusk and reduce
outdoor activities after dark," the activity book continues.

A glossary of terms pertaining to the disease can be found on page 14 of the book. It defines West Nile Virus as "a virus that can be transmitted to an animal that is bitten by an infected mosquito."

Answers to a "Habitat Hunt" on page 10 concern places where mosquitoes might lay eggs. These include: fish ponds, swimming pools, tree holes, wading pools, cans and buckets, bird baths, water puddles, watering troughs, pet bowls, and roof gutters.

The final page of the book designed by the Peetz brothers contains an Indiana Tracking Map with the suggestion: "Visit the Indiana State Department of Health Internet site (http://www.in.gov/isdh) to see how close West Nile virus has been reported to you this summer. Use this map to keep track!"

The book contains a message to parents that "Education is often the most important tool in protecting ourselves from the perils of life. West Nile virus is no exception. The more you know, the better you can protect your family and enjoy a happy and healthy summer!"

West Nile victim in Aurora still in serious condition

Often we think West Nile Virus won't happen here. We have read that it is a disease that developed in Africa in 1937, and that the virus was only first detected in New York in 1999.

However, we must also know that in Indiana, West Nile has become a serious threat over the past years and has spread from coast to coast. It is a very serious disease that can be fatal.

And it does happen here - or at least very near to us. Take the case of Ken Cleeter, former South Dearborn school board member and employed by Pernod Ricard USA Seagram in Lawrenceburg.

In the Thursday, May 13, edition of The Journal Press, Assistant Editor Bill Robinson published a story about the Aurora resident's brush with death as a victim of West Nile Virus.

According to Robinson, "Over the past six months, Ken Cleeter, 53, or 9221 US 50, Aurora, has gone through the most difficult trial of his life. Cleeter nearly died from a mosquito bite."

To chronicle the story, Robinson says, "On November 10, 2003, Cleeter, a non-smoker and a fit man who had never been in the hospital was admitted to Dearborn County Hospital in Lawrenceburg with 'flu-like symptoms'...a high fever, vomiting, and dehydration."

Robinson continues that a test for West Nile virus was sent to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, but before the results were received Cleeter's condition worsened, and he had to be transferred to Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati.

When the tests came back positive, Cleeter was admitted to Drake Hospital, but according to Robinson, Cleeter "doesn't remember anything from the time he was in Dearborn County Hospital until he woke up in critical care at Cincinnati's Drake Hospital the week before Christmas."

Both Cleeter and Sharon, his wife of 30 years, say their faith in God has brought them through this trial. "It has been the toughest battle of his life."

During the past six months, Cleeter had three spinal taps, spent lengthy periods on a respirator, battled encephalitis, and was placed on dialysis because of temporary loss of kidney function.

"Today," according to his wife, "his kidneys are at 100 percent, and he has had no long-term memory loss...It's a good thing his body was in good condition, and he was a non-smoker with strong lungs."

Robinson writes that Cleeter urges his friends and neighbors to take every step they can to avoid West Nile. "If you get sick, don't mess around, get treatment. I wish I had taken such precautions as spraying myself with insect repellant containing DEET."

Cleeter does not remember being bitten and thinks it could have happened in a number of places: a pond on his property, maybe while he was golfing or vacationing for a couple of days in Brown County State Park.

Well known in the Aurora and Dearborn County community, Cleeter retired after 24 years on the South Dearborn school board and has many friends among students, teachers, and staff.

Just last week the South Dearborn High School students had a benefit dance for Cleeter, who remains in Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati battling complications from being confined to bed for so long.

Robinson in his article says the virus especially attacked Cleeter's lungs and nervous system, but did not
affect his heart. He has problems with hand and finger movements and will have to learn to walk all over again.

Cleeter urges farmers and homeowners to "take steps to eliminate any standing water where mosquitoes can congregate. There are shots for horses that get West Nile, but nothing like that for humans. In people, the disease must run its course."

Cleeter's wife Sharon and children Adam and Kelly have stood strong as a family, according to Robinson. "They have also had tremendous support from friends, who have sent cards, food, and money."

The family has expressed appreciation to their community as well as to the doctors and nurses at the several hospitals Ken Cleeter has visited as a patient. "We also couldn't have asked for better treatment than we have received from our employers," Cleeter said in reference to his employer Pernod Ricard USA Seagram and his wife's The Gap.

Most of all, according to the story, the Cleeters believe their faith in God has gotten them through this very tough ordeal. At one point as he lay in critical care, his older brother Dennis cupped his hand around Ken's cheeks, looked into his eyes, and said, "You're going to make it, but this is the toughest battle of your life."

The battle is not over; Cleeter remains in Good Samaritan Hospital, where he is working toward complete recovery, but has no idea when he will be released to go home.

His message is one for all of us: Don't take West Nile Virus lightly; protect yourself and your family; eliminate problem areas with standing water; and if you do get sick, get to the doctor immediately.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Ben Peetz answers questions from Milan's third graders concerning West Nile Virus. Before school was out for the summer vacation, Peetz as a representative of the Environmental Division of the County Health Department, visited all third grade classes in the county. He showed a power point presentation concerning West Nile Virus and gave each of the students and their teachers educational activity books.