Oct
14
Expert Says Look to Nature in Fighting West Nile Virus
While more and more cities in the United States have reported cases of West Nile virus both in form of dead birds and humans being admitted to hospitals, not all human cases are reported to authorities. People may mistake the disease as a simple case of flu, which if not treated properly can be fatal in severe cases.
The Mosquito and Vector Control District of California’s Contra Costa County advises people to be aware about the nature around them to get the upper hand in battling the dreaded virus.
According to the district’s public affairs manager Deborah Bass, mosquito season typically begins in late February or early March. If the weather is too cold during that period, that season may be pushed back. A delay in the mosquito season can be one of the reasons why relatively fewers birds and mosquito samples have tested positive this year.
Also, hotter weather during this period could mean more potent viruses in the mosquitoes, which typically lives for 30 to 45 days.
Bass adds that the mosquito season usually ends before October, but she expect more human cases will be reported in her district after that. This is because it usually takes as much as 14 days before the symptoms manifest, which includes, fever, diarrhea, body pains, and vomiting. Since this year’s season is delayed, expect it to end later as well, which Bass says can be as long as two months.
Bass advises to put on mosquito repellent while outside on any time of the day, especially during mosquito season.
Source: Silicon Valley Mercury News