2008 is seeing a decline in the number of Westnile virus cases both in humans and in animals. There were reportedly only six cases of human infection in four states namely: Arizona, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee. There are also reportedly lower cases of animal and mosquito infections for this year, and they only occurred in five states, namely: Alabama, California, Florida, South Carolina, and Texas.

Compared to the previous years, the decline is fairly significant. In 2007, there were more or less than 3,630 cases of human infection in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Cases vary from Westnile neuroinvasive disease, Westnile fever and other WNV-related illnesses, including asymptomatic donors. There were 124 fatalities.

There were also several cases of animal and mosquito infections reported in nearly every state: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

There were even more cases of human infection in 2006. Statistics say that around 4,269 people were infected and of that number, 177 died. The states wherein there were reported cases of human infections include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Naturally, there were also several cases of animal and mosquito infections in these states.

However, it is till too soon to tell, since 2008 is not yet over. However, Health institutions are giving constant reminders and ways on how to avoid or prevent ourselves from getting infected with the virus. Most of them offer guidelines and materials to help individuals and communities, as well as clinicians and medical practitioners, that are to be used to raise awareness and prevent the virus from spreading. There are WNV info cards that are distributed to the general public which covers WVN related diseases and also include guidelines which focus on ways for avoiding mosquito bites. PSA’s (public service announcements) and slide presentations are being shown also to raise the public’s awareness. Self-study courses are also being offered.

It has been seen that the WVN "period" mostly happens in summer. During this season, it is best to be practical. Wear appropriate clothing that will lessen the possibility of being bitten by mosquitoes. Use screens to prevent mosquitoes from getting into the house, but still allow fresh air to enter. Empty containers filled with water as these can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Lastly, use insect repellents to lessen the number of mosquitoes within your home.

The West Nile Virus has spread in several countries throughout the world due to the migratory nature of a number of species of birds. Although it is a known fact that mosquitoes are primary carriers of the virus, the nature of birds to travel to other countries to escape winter season caused the spread of the virus. Birds bitten by infected mosquitoes become carriers of the virus. When they migrate to other countries and are bitten by other mosquitoes there, those mosquitoes become carriers of the virus as well, thus the spreading of the WNV.

Chicken WNV Sentinels

Due to this, researchers needed a way to track the spread of West Nile Virus. These researchers opted to use poultry – chickens in particular – to monitor the spread. They chose chickens because they are also members of the bird family, are inexpensive, and most importantly, chickens develop antibodies to the virus within a week making isolation of the virus possible. Also, though chickens may be infected, they show virtually no signs of the infection.

Another important thing is that the level of virus in a chicken’s blood is not high enough for to infect mosquitoes. After confirming all of this, researchers then stationed the healthy chickens outside to be monitored for WVN infection. When the chickens became infected the researchers then knew that mosquitoes in the area were capable of spreading the disease.

Can Chicken Meat and Eggs still be eaten?

Humans can only be infected by the West Nile virus if they were bitten by mosquitoes. Birds get infected by the virus also only if they were bitten by mosquitoes. No evidence has been found suggesting direct chicken-to-human transmission. There is also no evidence of chicken-to-chicken direct transmission. This means that chicken meat and eggs can still be eaten, provided that the chickens are generally healthy. Proper cleansing and cooking procedures is advised.

What about other fowl creatures?

Turkeys have shown almost the same response to the WNV virus as chickens. Turkeys showed mild reaction to the virus, followed by rapid immune response. However, same cannot be said of other fowl creatures, such as ducks, as they live around water where mosquitoes thrive.

How should dead birds be handled?

The West Nile Virus cannot be gotten from dead birds. However, it is advised that proper materials like gloves, be used for disposal of dead birds or any dead animal for that matter. Exposure, not to WNV, but to other bacteria is possible.

DEET has long been used in protecting people from disease-transmitting insects such as mosquitoes. It was invented by the US Army to protect its soldiers from the said insects in the field. It was later on approved for use to civilians by virtue of its excellent protective qualities against mosquito bites.

Despite its effectiveness in protecting humans from mosquitoes over the years, scientists never really were able to understand how DEET precisely works. It is only recently that researchers at Rockerfeller University were able to show definitively just how DEET works to protect humans against mosquitoes. This widely used insect repellant has been found to act as a chemical cloak that masks human odors that blood-feeding insects depend on to locate victims.

Researchers from the Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior in Rockerfeller University, headed by Leslie Vosshall, was able learn of how DEET precisely works by pinpointing its molecular target in insects. It has long been known that mosquitoes are attracted to odors in human sweat and breath which includes lactic acid, carbon dioxide and an alcohol-based compound called 1-octen-3-ol.

Different receptors found in the olfactory systems of insects are able to detect these odors that help them locate their prey. What DEET does is that it simply interferes with the proper function of the different odor receptors to make it more difficult for insects to hunt for their next blood meal.

In order to know about DEET’s effect on these different odorant receptors, the researchers recorded the electrical activity of the cells found in the insect’s olfactory system while exposing them to DEET. They found out that DEET shuts down those receptors that work together with a smell co-receptor known as Or83b, which is present in all insects.

DEET can effectively shut down receptors that detect sweat but are unable to shut down odor receptors that detect carbon dioxide since it doesn’t require the co-receptor Or83b in order to function.

According to a research presented at the 2008 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases held in Atlanta, Georgia, people who have suffered a severe infection of the West Nile virus may still experience symptoms of the disease even years after the infection and may likely continue experiencing them for the rest of their lives.

The research was undertaken by a team of medical professionals from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The said study, which was supported by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant, conducted a long term and in-depth look at patients diagnosed with the West Nile virus in the Houston, Texas area. A total of 108 patients were monitored for a period of five years, with patients being checked every six months to record clinical outcomes as well as their rates of recovery.

According to Kristy Murray, lead researcher of the study, about 60 percent of the patients still report of experiencing symptoms one year after a severe infection of the West Nile virus. The researchers further discovered that recovery from the infection for a majority of the patients took place in the first two years.

Murray says, "Once they hit two years it completely plateaus. If a patient has not recovered by that time, it is very likely the will never recover". About 40 percent of the patients continued to experience some symptoms five years after being infected with the virus. Some of the symptoms that were reported to incur long term damage include loss of balance, tremors and memory loss.

About 80 percent of the people infected with the West Nile virus do not experience of the disease. The study only included West Nile patients who exhibited the symptoms of the disease, ranging from mild fatigue to seizures, paralysis and tremors.

Half of the patients developed encephalitis while a third developed meningitis due to the West Nile infection. The patients with encephalitis have lesser chances of recovering than those patients with meningitis or with just simple fever symptoms.

One way of preventing the spread of diseases such as the West Nile Fever, malaria, etc. is through effective mosquito control methods. There are many different ways that this can be done in the community as well as in the home.

Collective action seems to be the best way that communities as well as the different states will be able to do in order to control the seasonal spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Targeting its source

One of the most effective methods of controlling mosquito populations is by targeting its source. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Being able to reduce possible breeding grounds for these mosquitoes can effectively reduce their numbers. Eliminating possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes around the home can help a lot.

It doesn’t matter how small the pool of standing water may be. It should be treated as a possible breeding ground for mosquitoes since there are mosquito species that can breed in small bodies of water.

Places where standing water may collect should be dried, cleaned and emptied. Fishponds should be kept aerated while swimming pools should be properly chlorinated to prevent it from becoming a mosquito breeding ground.

Killing larva

Another way to reduce mosquito numbers is by killing its larva. There are different pesticides available in the market that can be used in bodies of water where mosquitoes are known to breed. These pesticides kill mosquitoes at their larval stage before they transform into adults.

One of the most effective larvicides available is Bacillus thuringiensis, more commonly known as Bt. It is a bacterium that is known to be lethal to mosquito larva but harmless to other creatures. Bt products can be used in ponds or bodies of water where other creatures are known to live.

There are Bt briquettes and dunks that can simply be tossed into such bodies of water and can work for several days in preventing the larva mosquito from becoming into an adult.

Natural Predators

A natural means of controlling mosquito populations is by introducing natural predators of the mosquitoes in the area. One of the effective predators known against mosquitoes is the dragonfly. Pretty harmless creatures to humans, dragonflies become a serious predator to mosquitoes, with a single one able to consume hundreds of adult mosquitoes in a single night.

Sadly dragonfly populations have been decimated by the use of some insecticides that aim to control the mosquitoes. Reintroducing dragonflies may be another option that can be used to control mosquito populations in the community.

Mosquitoes have continued to be a threat to humans because they are active carriers of organisms that cause certain diseases such as the West Nile Fever, malaria, dengue etc. A bite from an infected mosquito can easily pass a virus or other organisms that can cause disease. Fighting and keeping the mosquito threat under control has been a continuous battle to try to keep the home safe.

One of the best ways of keeping the mosquito threat under control is by not making the surroundings in the home a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes thrive in damp areas with a lot of standing water can easily become breeding grounds for the insects larva. The backyard can be a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes

It is important for homeowners to check any areas where near the home where standing water may usually collect. Ponds and birdbaths become potential mosquito breeding grounds if they collect standing water for weeks. Garbage cans left opened also becomes a possible mosquito breeding ground. It is better to keep such containers upside down or well covered when not being used.

Pets in the home, especially dogs may also become a threat to mosquitoes Dogs and cats bitten by mosquitoes can be infected but does not necessarily become ill. Pets do not usually spread the mosquito borne diseases to humans but they can also infect other mosquitoes and therefore help in spreading disease. It would be better if you try to keep pets inside the home to prevent them from being bitten by mosquitoes.

Making use of pesticides to kill mosquitoes around the home may also work to effectively get rid or lessen the threat of mosquitoes. Using mosquito repellents when going outdoors may also help prevent you from getting bitten especially during the time from dusk until dawn.

As the summer months are fast approaching, the incidence of mosquito borne diseases such as the West Nile virus might again be on the rise. Although the threat of the West Nile virus may have died down a bit after the scare that it brought sometime during 2000 to 2003, people are in no way safe yet from being threatened by the virus. Certain parts of the US have again showed signs of the virus as indicated by some researchers still trying to keep track of the West Nile virus threat.

The West Nile virus especially causes encephalitis which can be relatively uncommon in humans. Some forms of encephalitis may not have any adverse effects on humans that some might be even be unaware of it. But there are certain types of encephalitis caused by strains of the West Nile virus that can cause seizures, dementia, memory loss and even death.

The best way that people can combat the threat of the West Nile virus is by following precautionary measures as advised by the Centers of Disease Control or CDC. Precautionary measures include seeking ways in order to eliminate mosquito breding grounds to help limit the mosquito population.

For residents in a certain mosquito prone area, eliminating areas with stagnant water around the home can help a lot. Stagnant water found in the garage, gardens or backyards of residents can easily become mosquito breeding grounds. Making sure that damp areas prone to standing water is cleaned and removed can help lessen the threat of mosquito borne diseases if done as a collective effort.

Other means of curbing the threat of the West Nile virus as well as other diseases caused by mosquitoes is by using mosquito repellents especially when going out of doors. One of the most effective repellents in the market is DEET and is also considered safe to use and provide long lasting protection against mosquitoes.

DEET can be safely sprayed or applied to the skin as well as on clothing to provide long lasting protection against mosquito bites. Kids should be given some focus since they might find themselves usually outdoors. Aside from using mosquito repellents parents should opt using long sleeved shirts or pants for their kids when they try to go out to provide some additional protection.

Occasional spraying of certain areas around the home with insecticides can also help limit the threat of mosquitoes. Home interiors can be made mosquito free by placing wire screens on windows and doors to keep the mosquitoes out. It is also important to learn more about the West Nile virus so that people may be able to know if someone in their family or circle of friends is affected and in order to prevent its further spread.

There are now several ways available in which people may be able to control mosquitoes in their area and the threat that such pests bring. Mosquitoes have been long known as active carriers and hosts of microorganisms that causes a number of life threatening diseases such as malaria, West Nile fever, dengue and yellow fever to name just a few. One of the effective ways that such diseases can be controlled is by limiting mosquito populations in areas mostly affected by these diseases.

Mosquito control has been an active part of trying to control the spread of various mosquito-borne diseases. There are now various ways in which this could be done. One of them is the use of the bacteria known as Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. Bacillus thuringiensis is a soil dwelling bacterium that produces toxins that can be fatal to insects such as mosquitoes.

Because of its insecticide properties, Bt has been used to control mosquitoes especially at their larval stage. There are basically two types of Bt products being used as insecticide in the market. They come as those that kill aquatic pests such as mosquito larva and in the form of Bt spray which kills adult pests.

Bt insecticides that kill mosquito larva in the water are available in what is called mosquito bits and mosquito dunks. They are effective methods of killing mosquito larva where they live and breed and, that is, in standing water. Mosquito bits can kill mosquito larva in as fast as 24 hours after being applied to mosquito breeding grounds. It is an environmentally sound mosquito control insecticide that can kill mosquitoes at a stage before they become old enough to bite.

Mosquito bits are simply sprinkled in standing water where the pests are known to breed. These bits contain a larvicide in the form of Bt that settles in the water gradually and is consumed by the larvae and then killed in a matter of 24 hours. Mosquito bits provide a fast acting mosquito control solution for people who want instant results in their fight against the dreaded insect.

For long term mosquito control using Bt, mosquito dunks can be used in order to provide pest control protection that can last for as long as thirty days. Mosquito dunks also kills mosquito larvae in the same way as mosquito bits do but provide longer pest control effects. A mosquito dunk can last for a month and is not toxic to animals such as fish, birds, and other pets.

One mosquito dunk can provide protection for an area as big as 100 square meters. A bigger area will just require additional mosquito dunks to provide effective protection. Controlling mosquitoes in your area by killing its larvae in standing water is an effective means of pest control. Using Bt to kill such pests is a natural means of pest control that can be very effective in decreasing mosquito population in your area.

Mosquitoes have been known for many years to be carriers or hosts of several diseases that has threatened man for decades. Some of those diseases include West Nile fever, dengue, malaria and yellow fever. These diseases have continued to threaten millions of human lives in different parts of the world even today. One way in trying to control their spread is by learning how to control mosquito populations that are known carriers and hosts of the said diseases.

In order for scientists to learn how to find ways in controlling mosquitoes in disease prone areas, they need to know how these insects live and how they thrive. One of the aspects that scientists have been able to learn about is by identifying what attracts mosquitoes to humans. Mosquitoes are also quite complex insects that rely on their senses to find food for survival. Primarily, mosquitoes are said to be attracted to humans because a blood meal can provide female mosquitoes with the essential proteins needed to reproduce a new generation of mosquitoes.

With extensive studies done by many scientists over the years, they have been able to identify the different ways in which mosquitoes use to look for humans to feed on. Here are some of the attractants that scientists have known to bring mosquitoes closer to you:

Carbon Dioxide

Mosquitoes have special sensors that can attract them to carbon dioxide. All living things give off carbon dioxide and that includes humans. The difference lies in the amount and how different living things give them off. This leads to special carbon dioxide signatures that help mosquitoes identify which carbon dioxide emissions to hone in to.

Lactic Acid

Lactic Acid has also been known as a mosquito attractant. It is given off by the body during physical exertion. The more a person exerts, as during an exercise routine, the more lactic acid is released. Mosquitoes then try to sense lactic acid in their sensors to find humans. Not only that, the release of lactic acid in the body may also be affected by eating certain foods such as those with high salt or potassium content.

Heat

Mosquitoes are also attracted to body heat. Depending on the type of mosquito, the exact body temperature may attract the insects to prefer different parts of the body. There are mosquitoes that prefer the slightly cooler body temperatures emitted in the extremities.

Moisture

Mosquitoes are also attracted to moisture, especially body perspiration. This is partly because of the chemicals that are contained in sweat. Mosquitoes are also attracted to moisture generally since it provides the best area for them to reproduce. That is why even puddles and small areas of standing water will readily draw mosquitoes.

Dark Colors

Mosquitoes are also said to be attracted to dark colors such as blue and black. These insects use their vision to locate their hosts from a distance. This makes dark colors the initial attractants to these flying insects. Avoiding wearing dark clothing may prove effective in trying to avoid them.

The West Nile Virus has plagued some areas in the US for some time now. Along with its spread came a lot of unfounded talk about what the said virus can cause. These myths may have given people the wrong impression of what the disease really is. The myths sometimes are taken as fact and may be giving people the wrong message about the disease. Here are some of those myths:

There is little that a person can to combat the West Nile Virus.

People may be looking at the said virus as a problem that is best left to the experts. That is why they believe that there is not much that they can do against it. This is not true. There is a lot that an individual can do to reduce the chances of being infected by the virus. First, a person can reduce the number of mosquito bites by using repellents. Next, people can clean up their surroundings by checking possible mosquito breeding areas and taking care of it. Not only will an individual help reduce being infected, he might also be doing something to help the community.

Kids should be the focus of protection since they are at most danger to the virus.

This is another myth about the West Nile virus. Actually it is not the kids that are at most risk being infected by the West Nile virus. It is the senior population. Statistics have shown that people over 50 are at most risk of developing the severe effects of West Nile disease. This might be due to a declining immune system that comes with age. But with this statistic come another myth about the said disease.

It is only the people with poor health who should be worrying about the West Nile virus.

This myth may lead people to have some false sense of security about their chances of being infected. Although poor health may be considered a high risk factor for contracting the West Nile disease, it is not the only one. Other risk factors include being outdoors all of the time. People who spend more time outdoors find themselves at a higher risk of being infected by the West Nile virus. Being outdoors, especially sometime during dusk or dawn hours, can increase the chances of being bitten by mosquitoes and therefore the risk of being bitten by a virus infected insect.

Repellents containing DEET are not safe.

This myth may lead people to believe that the use of DEET might be dangerous. This mistake leaves them open to the risk of being infected by the West Nile virus. Actually the use of DEET Repellents is even recommended for use as long as the correct instructions are being followed. DEET Repellents are considered as very effective in warding off mosquitoes and therefore the threat of West Nile virus infection.