The West Nile Virus has been a constant threat in many of the US states today. In absence of a vaccine and effective treatment, prevention seems to be the best solution in fighting off the infection. With the threat still not under control, it seems that people may need to be more vigilant and be more knowledgeable in trying to make their homes free from the West Nile Virus. It is possible to make homes pose a lesser risk to the West Nile Virus. It all comes down to controlling mosquito breeding…
The spread of the West Nile virus in the US has increased the awareness of more people in the use of insect repellents containing DEET. Scientifically known as N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide, DEET is the active ingredient used in most insect repellents that are applied directly on the skin. Primarily used to protect against mosquitoes, especially those that help spread the West Nile Virus, DEET insect repellents are also effective protecting against other disease causing insects such as ticks. DEET is…
A team of scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Utah State University have found a possible explanation to a puzzling and serious complication caused by a West Nile Virus infection. The researchers have shown that how the West Nile virus spread from nerve cell to nerve cell has a lot to do with triggering acute flaccid paralysis, a condition that leaves one or more limbs of an individual infected with the West Nile virus limp and unresponsive. Studies made…
The West Nile Virus has been known to be spread mainly by birds but is also known to infect other animals such as dogs, horses, cats, and rodents. But the main source of human infection comes by way of a bite from an infected mosquito. Once infected, the virus may spread and may affect humans in three different ways. The first effect that the West Nile virus can have on humans is asymptomatic, or one that shows no symptoms whatsoever. The infected person does not experience any noticeable signs …
The best way to avoid getting infected with the West Nile virus is by avoiding coming into contact with its carriers- the mosquitoes. Although this cannot be avoided most of the time especially when you find yourself out of doors, there are many things available that may help protect yourself from getting bitten by these upsetting insects and avoid getting the West Nile virus. One of the most effective weapons against the West Nile virus carriers is the mosquito repellent. The most effective mos…
There is a new finding that might provide the fight against the West Nile virus some positive boost. Researchers hailing from the Washington University School of Medicine have recently identified a new class of compounds that can effectively inhibit the replication of the said virus. The West Nile virus belongs to the flavivirus family of viruses which also includes the yellow fever virus and the dengue virus. The West Nile virus can infect not only humans but also horses and other vertebrate sp…
Mosquito or insect repellents can be used as an effective weapon in the fight to reduce the threat of the West Nile virus on humans. Insect repellents are formulated substances that can be applied to the skin, clothing or other surfaces in order to discourage insects, mainly mosquitoes from coming into contact with such surfaces. The most common form of mosquito or insect repellent being used today comes in the form of topical lotions although there are also certain products that make use of hig…
Mosquitoes have been known to be one of the most common pests that directly affect humans. In fact, they have been known to cause the spread of a variety of diseases as potential carriers that help transmit such infections from one person to another. Recently, mosquitoes have been found to help the spread of West Nile virus among the human population in North America. This goes to show just how a threat these insects pose on humans. Here are some facts that you might want to know about mosquitoe…
Although the primary carriers of the West Nile virus have been known to be mosquitoes, it has been the infected avian population that has brought about its spread in many parts of the globe. Since there are a number of bird species that migrate annually to escape the winter season, this process has been seen to have contributed to the spread of the virus to different locations on the globe. The West Nile virus is mainly found in both tropical and temperate regions. Its transmission has been due…
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that may cause serious illness, like meningitis and encephalitis, or sometimes death. It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, which first got the infection from biting a bird carrying the virus. Nevertheless, WNV does not spread through body-to-body contact. Although in the outbreak last year, people that were infected with the virus did not have illness or did not show symptoms. They only exhibited mild forms of illness be…
