Come summer and the pests are here, among them the mosquitoes. Not only are they annoying, but their bites can infect a person with viruses such as the sometimes fatal West Nile one. And that's exactly what's happening just now.
For example, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District confirms that four mosquito samples from Wilton and from Carmichael have tested positive for the virus.
Three infected birds were found dead last week in a South Bay neighborhood and the West Nile virus has been identified in about 50% of the mosquitoes trapped there so far.
The Contra Costa County Mosquito and Vector Control District has reported a seventh dead bird testing positive for the virus this year. The report states that the birds were found in Lafayette, Oakley, Brentwood, San Ramon and now in Bay Point.
Deborah Bass, Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District spokeswoman said that although this number of positive birds is quite usual for this time of the year, they are predicting “a strong year for the virus”.
In Virginia there have been two deaths and 29 other cases connected to the virus to date, and doctors predict the situation will most probably deteriorate. According to Dr.Rex Biedenbender, from the Eastern Virginia Medical School, about 10% of the people infected with the West Nile Virus will die from it.
The virus is passed on to humans from mosquitoes which get the virus from feeding on birds that are infected.
The symptoms of the Nile Virus flu are fever, nausea, headaches and stiffness of the body.
The virus could also cause a brain infection. Dr. Rex Biedenbender says, "If it infects your brain you can have problems with your memory, encephalitis, and sometimes the effects are permanent."
Now, a live virus vaccine to protect against the Nile Virus flu is being tested at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. If this trial is successful it will have to be put through at least one more trial before the FDA approves of it.
In the meantime mosquito-borne disease management plans to protect public health and welfare such as ground treatments and the use of fogging machines are being carried out , but people are also being requested to take the following precautions:
• Do not leave any standing water that may allow mosquitoes to reproduce.
• Do not over water lawns, gardens or potted plants.
• Avoid being out at DAWN and DUSK when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outside.
• Use effective insect repellents, such as Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or Picaridin.
• Ensure that door and window screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
