WNV and the N Platte River

[crazeemama]

i live in western NE, about a mile from the N platte river. If you have been checking on WNV it becomes apparent the area around the river has been especially hard hit.
An older man in town is in grave condition with wnv. He was also having CHemo at the time he contracted WNV. The younger people (<40) are slowly getting over it. Now i have learned that 3 ofthe highschool football players have also contracted wnv. These are not farm boys but live in town. I am no longer taking my birds outside as 7 horses are pastuered right across the road from me. I will look forward to the first killing frost this year.

[schavon2]

wnv? west nile virus?

i wonder how it came by that name. it's non-existant here in egypt as far as i know

[crazeemama]

Originally posted by schavon2
wnv? west nile virus?

i wonder how it came by that name. it's non-existant here in egypt as far as i know

I think the operative phrase here is 'as far as i know'. it did in fact show up in that area first.

[schavon2]

no news or warnings of it here though,,,not through the egyptian govt or the american embassy, who is pretty dilligent at warning us of any potential health hazards. haven't heard a peep form the embassy.

[Mrs.Birdy]

WNV is rampant here in New Jersey and New York. Many dead crows were tested postive. Today, there was one more death in NY State of an 81 year old man from WNV. Several other reports of people afflicted and being treated successfully here in NJ. I am keeping my Marcel inside now with the epidemic at its peak (late summer). Also, our town has been spraying for mosquitos much more often than in other years....the trucks go through now almost nightly.

Scary.

[Love Bird B]

Schavon, fess up, we know you sent the WNV here. I hope that at least made you smile. Grin?

I've been getting a lot of mosquito bites lately. If you never hear from me again that could be the reason. There haven't been any cases reported here in Philadelphia that have been mentioned, yet. Just in case, I just wanted to say that I love all of you. I love how different we all are yet here we are, and yet somehow all the same.

Gads, talk of disease and doom does bring out some strange stuff. Yes, Mrs. Birdy, it is scary.

[crazeemama]

here are a few sites that deal with the Virus,its history, and the current strains now spreading in the US and the rest of the world.
As noted in these sites WNV was first isolated from a Ugandan woman back in the 1930's - as with all viruses it changes during the progression of the disease (same as flu viruses and the common cold!)
In equine species 1 in 3 that contract the disease will die.
the 'hooded crow' also seems to be especially susceptable to the disease too

http://www.hospitalmanagement.net/informer/breakthroughs/break58/

http://www.cecilcountyhealth.org/West%20Nile%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/fact/GeneticFacts.pdf

http://www.new-agri.co.uk/03-2/focuson/focuson4.html

[Love Bird B]

Thanks Crazeemama for all the informative links!
barb

[Love Bird B]

I realized I had this info and wanted to add it:


Our Health and Fitness topic: Protect Yourself From West Nile

The West Nile Virus is showing signs of a major comeback this year.
Many specialists thought last year would be the peak and that cases
would be less numerous this year due to mosquito spraying and other
steps taken last summer._ But those hopes are proving wrong as more
and more cases are reported this summer - most within the last two
weeks._ The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have
identified residents of these states as being at a higher risk for
West Nile Virus: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas.

Here are some basic steps to reduce contact with mosquitoes:
-- Avoid going outside during high mosquito feeding hours - dawn, dusk
and early evening.
-- Use insect repellent that contains Deet._ A product with 5% Deet
will last about 90 minutes; 24% will last about 5 hours._ The ONLY
non-DEET repellent found to be effective was the soybean-oil-based
Bite Blocker, for about 90 minutes._ Citronella and other kinds of
repellants are not proven effective, so don't rely on them.
-- Wear long sleeves and long pants when you have to go outside.
-- Drain any areas of collected water pools outside your home once or
twice a week._ Mosquitoes lay eggs in pools of water._ This includes
water pooling in flower pots, pet dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool
covers, kiddie pools, buckets, barrels, cans, clogged rain gutters,
discarded items, containers and trash cans.
-- Keep mosquitoes out of your home. Repair or replace window and door
screens.

If you have the following symptoms of encephalitis, see a doctor
immediately: high fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness or pain,
confusion._ Just being aware of the symptoms and the steps to prevent
mosquito bites are the two best steps to preventing West Nile Virus
from reaching your family.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Thanks for all the great info.....I hope we can all prevent this from happening to us, our family and pets.

[schavon2]

i'll have to check out those sites.

summer isn't really mosquito season in egypt though. i think it's too damned hot, even for mosquitos. during the winter they're more bothersome.

[crazeemama]

Schavon - re:the mosquito thing.... I imagine it IS too hot in the summer. I didn't think about that..... But whatever is YOUR active season.... do be careful....
You know i think viruses sort of die out in one area and then come back later with an even more deadly type. So just keep your ears open, it is NOTHING to play with.....

Everyone - BTW isn't DEET bug sprays bad for birds?

[schavon2]

thanks craze...

i trust the embassy will send out a warning if it should become problematic here. they have this warden system where they'll e-mail any info regarding threats to health, well being, etc. i did call the health office at the embassy yesterday just to be sure...they said it's not a problem here now, though it did originate here. so YOU guys be safe.

we do have quite alot of mosquitoes in the winter months, but it's not so bad, as in the winter you're generally dressed in long pants and sleeves.

thank god there's no virus carried by flies!! then we'd REALLY be screwed!

[Love Bird B]

Hiya Crazeeemama,

About Deet being dangerous to birds... I don't know what *wouldn't* be dangerous to birds. (?) It's no wonder I go off the deep end with that one!
I realized I had information about the virus and wanted to post it.

Yes Schavon, that is a good thing about flies. Whadda world.

barb

[crazeemama]

Love b - b -

That was GREAT info about WNV precautions. if you are in a bad area, you can't be too careful. And THIS IS a bad area!!!! I don't use the deet because of allergies and same with the 'natural' repellents as they usually have citronella in them and that really does me in!!!
It is also good to know the symptoms too.