Mosquito Population Increase and West Nile Virus Treat

According to the calendar, summer has officially started. As families rush to get outdoors, spend time at the beach or at the local park, there is a growing menace that threatens the summer fun.

The besiege occurs mainly at night, systematically sparing no one, and always out for blood. The threat is, of course, mosquitoes and the hazard is more than just a nuisance. With mosquitoes comes the possibility of West Nile Virus, a latent but at times life threatening illness.

Stagnant Water

Several recent studies have reiterated the importance of working to control an epidemic before the onslaught of mosquitoes occurs. And with the recent flooding in the Mid West, now is the time to get rid of standing water, which provides an ideal location for mosquito eggs to hatch.

Most significantly, researchers believe West Nile Virus is a seasonal epidemic that is more prevalent in the summer months and persists into the fall months. University of Wisconsin-Madison entomologist Phil Pellitteri expects big increases in the number of pests due to the flooding of the farmlands within the south.

How is the Virus Transmitted?

The virus is disseminated through bites of infected mosquitoes. In some cases, West Nile Virus can be circulated to other people through blood transfusions.

What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?

In most cases, there are no symptoms whatsoever and the infected person never gets sick. But in some, symptoms can be severe and include headache, stiff neck, and fever. More severe cases can lead to nausea, vomiting, vision loss and paralysis. And the long-term effects can be horrific with neurological effects lasting.

How Long After Infection do Symptoms Appear?

Typically, after infection occurs a person can become ill within one to two weeks.

What is the Treatment for West Nile Virus?

Unfortunately there is no treatment for West Nile Virus. In most cases, the patient will recover within a couple of weeks. In more severe cases, the patient will need hospitalization so that he/she can receive intravenous fluids and twenty-four hour nursing care. There is no vaccine for the virus, so the only prevention is to reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Stagnant water such as fish ponds, un-maintained swimming pools, bird baths, storm drains and even street gutters are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

History of the West Nile Virus

The virus was first recognized in 1927 in Uganda.

Then several decades later in 1957, there was a severe outbreak in Israel, and that outbreak was so intense that health officials recognized it as a new cause of human meningitis, a deadly disease which leads to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and in the most severe cases, death. Scientists report that the virus came to the United States in 1999 and since, the disease has been spreading due to the conditions which are conducive to mosquito breeding.

What Can be Done to Help Control the Mosquito Population?

In most communities, there is a local mosquito abatement district which should take a pro-active approach and use control measures to contain mosquitoes. The chief culprit of the problem is numerous breeding grounds for the mosquito larval. By removing their breeding grounds such as stagnant water nearby, the chances of having excessive mosquito outbreaks in a community are reduced.

Some communities are working to remove improperly sloped streets or pot holes in which water can accumulate. Local public works committees are lobbying to gain funding for areas that need to be corrected in order to reduce standing water.

By removing trash such as old tires, tarps, containers and old vehicles in which rain water can accumulate and become stagnant, breeding grounds are reduced. And by reducing these breeding grounds, there will be fewer mosquito outbreaks.

This chore may be more difficult in some areas due to the mortgage crisis which has, unfortunately, left many homes vacant. Many neighbors are noticing that due to the vacant homes there are more breeding grounds within their community.

Local Health Departments should be called in this case and be notified so that preventive measures can be taken to reduce the sources of stagnant water on the property. The Health Department should come out and treat the breeding sites in order to reduce possibility of a breakout. By concentrating on immature mosquitoes, they are eliminated before they have the opportunity to spread disease.

Precautions

According to the Westchester County Health Department, it is not essential to limit out door activities. Instead it is recommended that people wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and wear bug spray - especially during dusk and dawn.

If you or a loved one suspects illness due to mosquito or west nile virus, it is highly recommended that you contact a health care professional right away.

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