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education : WEST NILE VIRUS IN THE NEWS There’s been a lot of discussion lately about West Nile encephalitis, a mosquito-transmitted disease. Mild symptoms range from a flu-like fever, headache and body aches, swollen glands, and a body rash. Most people will show no symptoms. Of more concern is encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. It develops in less than one percent of infected people. See a physician immediately if you experience severe symptoms, including headache, neck stiffness, high fever, disorientation, unexplained lethargy, tremors and convulsions. Paralysis, coma, and even death can result from a severe infection. TRANSMISSION Infected wild birds serve as the primary host of the virus, which is transmitted to mosquitoes (and vice versa). Mosquitoes can transmit it to humans. The virus undergoes a reproductive cycle inside the mosquito, where it passes through the midgut wall, multiplies in the tissues, and then accumulates in the salivary glands of the mosquito, where it can become active 10 to 14 days after feeding on an infected bird. Since mosquitoes salivate each time they bite, every bite can become an opportunity for infection. STOP THE CIRCLE BY INTERRUPTING THE MOSQUITO Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water (even a puddle!). Eggs hatch 2 to 3 days, becoming larva, so the whole process from egg to adulthood takes only 10-20 days. To interrupt this cycle at the larval stage, pay close attention to places where mosquitoes can breed: flower pots, gutters, buckets, toys and tires, anything that holds water. If you can, turn the items over when not in use, but if standing water is unavoidable, a Mosquito Dunk (which contains a highly effective larvicide), can be broken into small pieces to place in these spots. Another tip: a moving water surface interferes with mosquito hatching, so aerate, or add a dripper or fountain to your bath. Use pesticides as a last resort – they can kill beneficial insects and harm the birds. PROTECT YOURSELF Mosquitoes are the most active at dawn and dusk, so if you are filling bird feeders at that time, use insect repellent (sparingly) on skin and clothing, wear long sleeve shirts and long pants. Incandescent lights attract mosquitoes, but fluorescent lights neither attract nor repel them. A sobering note: nearly 80 bird species and eight mammal species have reportedly been infected, including horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. |
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