| Bob Brookman and his wife
lived in the suburbs of Chicago in a well kept and
well developed neighborhood. A summer evening in 2004
changed their lives forever.
They were enjoying a beautiful
summer early evening on their back patio. Their lawn
was well manicured, the gardens were meticulously kept
by a hired service. They spent much of their time at
their jobs and relished moments like this when they
could enjoy the fruits of their labor.
As they enjoyed the evening there
were a few mosquitos buzzing around. Only a couple.
Certainly not something new for the Chicago area.
|
|
A mosquito landed on Bob's wife's
arm. She swatted a mosquito as anyone would. Looking
at the dead mosquito she said, "Wouldn't it be funny
if that was a West Nile Virus mosquito!"
The haunting truth for Bob's wife
was that the mosquito did carry the West Nile Virus.
She was soon overtaken by fever and hospitalized.
Bob's soul mate never made it back
home; she died months latter!
|
West Nile Virus
and What Can We Do About It
West Nile Virus is an emerging infectious disease that
made its first appearance in the United States in
1999. The microbe that causes the infection belongs to
a group of disease-causing viruses known as
flaviviruses, which are usually spread by ticks or
mosquitoes.
People who contract West Nile virus
usually experience only mild symptoms-fever, headache,
body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. If
West Nile virus enters the brain, however, it can
cause life-threatening encephalitis (inflammation of
the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining
of the brain and spinal cord).
Most cases of disease occur in
elderly people and those with impaired immune systems.
The first step in the transmission cycle of West Nile
virus occurs when a mosquito bites an infected bird or
other infected animal. Although the virus primarily
cycles between mosquitoes and birds, infected female
mosquitoes also can transmit West Nile virus through
their bites to humans and other "incidental hosts"
such as horses.
With so many susceptible hosts to
amplify the virus and so many types of mosquitoes to
transmit it, West Nile virus has spread rapidly across
the United States.
At the time being there is no
vaccine or treatment for the West Nile Virus, but we
can do something about the way it spreads. So here are
a few tips about what we can do to help fight
mosquitoes:
* Empty standing water in old tires, cemetery urns,
buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container
where "wrigglers" and "tumblers" live.
* Empty and change the water in
bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and
potted plant trays at least once a week if not more
often.
* Drain or fill temporary pools
with dirt.
* Keep swimming pools treated and
circulating and rain gutters unclogged.
* Use mosquito repellents when
necessary and follow label directions and precautions
closely.
* Use head nets, long sleeves and
long pants if you venture into areas with high
mosquito populations, such as salt marshes.
* If there is a mosquito-borne
disease warning in effect, stay inside during the
evening when mosquitoes are most active.
* Make sure window and door screens
are "bug tight."
* Replace your outdoor lights with
yellow "bug" lights. |
