Prevention of West Nile Virus
In light of the elevated risk of West Nile virus, local and state health officials are asking people to follow these precautions. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus other than to treat symptoms. People who think they have West Nile virus infection are encouraged to contact their health-care provider.
In 2007, there were six human cases of WNV in Massachusetts. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. WNV is usually spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. So far this year, West Nile virus has been found in 11 birds and one horse in 10 Wisconsin counties. It's turning into a summer of mosquitoes and other worse bugs. Extensive mosquito trapping and monitoring will also continue in order to monitor the spread of the disease and evaluate further necessary actions. Try and help to keep them in check.
Although few mosquitoes actually carry the virus, tips to minimize exposure include:
- Avoid being outside during times of high mosquito activity, specifically dawn and dusk. In warm months when mosquito’s are active, public health officials advise residents to wear long sleeves and long pants or use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon when outdoors.
- Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET, but never use this repellent on infants. Avoid using repellents with DEET concentrations of more than 10 percent to 15 percent for children, and above 30 percent to 35 percent for adults. Apply according to the label instructions.
DEET has been shown to be an extremely safe and effective repellent," said Lyle R. Petersen, M.D., director of the CDC's division of vector-borne infectious diseases. University of Florida scientists Jonathan Day and Roxanne Rutledge wrote: "Natural is a word that is sometimes used to promote 'safe' products. Unfortunately, the wording can be misleading for the uninformed individual. 'Natural' products are usually essential oils distilled from plants… These oils can be toxic and irritating in high concentrations. 'Natural' repellents are not necessarily safe repellents." DEET is one of the most widely tested consumer products of any type and has been used reliably by consumers for more than 50 years. According to a New England Journal of Medicine article (Fradin & Day, 2002), DEET "has a remarkable safety profile."
- Take special care to cover the arms and legs of children while they are playing outdoors. In the case of babies who are outdoors, cover the carriage or playpen with mosquito net.
- Keep window screens repaired so mosquitoes cannot enter your home. Fix screens that have holes; make sure they are tightly attached to doors and windows.
- Not through touching. WNV is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus, or by breathing in the virus.
- Dispose of discarded tires, cans or other containers left outside that may contain standing water.
- Turn over wading pools, hot tub covers, wheel barrows, boats and canoes when not in use.
- Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean of trash and weeds so water will drain properly.
- Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure they drain properly.
- Change the water in bird baths, pet dishes and wading pools every three to four days.
- Trim tall grass, weeds and vines since mosquitoes use these places to rest during hot daylight hours.
- Landscape to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas.
Keep it in mind:
- It is thought that once a person has recovered from WNV, they are immune for life to future infections with WNV. This immunity may decrease over time or with health conditions that compromise the immune system.
- Most often, WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes are WNV carriers ("vectors") that become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite.
- During transfusions, transplants, and Mother-to-Child all donated blood should be checked for WNV before being used. The risk of getting WNV through blood transfusions and organ transplants is very small, and should not prevent people who need surgery from having it. Transmission during pregnancy from mother to baby or transmission to an infant via breastfeeding is extremely rare.
References:
http://www.fdlreporter.com
http://www.westnile.ca.gov
http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv
http://www.cdc.gov/
http://www.southcoasttoday.com
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