The West Nile Virus in Texas
Although not as deadly as the Asian Bird Flu (H5N1) virus or as rampant as malaria in Africa, the West Nile Virus is proving to be a pesky mosquito-borne disease that is here to stay in the United States. The West Nile virus in Texas claimed 11 lives in 2007. The nationwide death toll in 2007 was 98.
The first case of West Nile virus was isolated and identified in Africa in 1937 and the first American infection was detected in the New York in 1999. Since then, human infections have spread to all but six states. The virus has gained ground so rapidly because it mainly infects birds which carry it as they migrate across state and national borders. It also infects horses, dogs, cats, bats, rodents and rabbits.
Most humans infected with the West Nile Virus in Texas survive the disease. Fatalities are most common among young children and senior citizens. Those infected by the virus commonly experience fever, headaches, chills, diaphoresis, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue. Most symptoms are resolved in 8-10 days but the disease can progress to West Nile meningitis and encephalitis in some patients for which recovery takes a long convalescence followed by months of fatigue. Some people get infected but show no symptoms at all.
Carriers and Transmitters of West Nile Virus in Texas
While birds spread the virus geographically from region to region, the virus is transmitted from host to host by mosquitoes. The American crow and American robin are the most common carriers of the West Nile Virus in Texas. Occasional human to human transmissions have occurred through exposure to infected blood in blood transfusions and organ transplants.
Although dogs and cats can become hosts to the West Nile Virus, no canine-to-human or feline-to- human transmissions of the virus have been recorded. There is no vaccine for the West Nile Virus for humans, although a vaccine for horses has been developed.
Preventing West Nile Virus in Texas
A surefire way of not getting infected is to not get bitten. The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), a federal program that coordinates access to biological data, recommends regularly applying insect repellent on exposed skin and thin clothing, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors, limiting outdoor activities at dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are more active and keeping mosquitoes out with screen doors and windows.
While it appears the West Nile Virus in Texas is here for good, one of the most effective ways of containing the disease is to eradicate, or at least, reduce the number of transmitters. The NBII suggests eliminating sources of standing water in your yard where mosquitoes may lay eggs. Steps such as keeping mosquito-eating fish in outdoor ponds and regularly changing the water from pet dishes and bird baths are also recommended.
John Moore Home Services Helps Prevent Spread of West Nile Virus in Texas
Long-term mosquito measures such as fogging and fumigation can also dramatically diminish mosquito infestations. For more information on mosquito control and curtailing the West Nile Virus in Texas, call John Moore Professional Home Services at 877-730-7711, or go to www.johnmooreservices.com.
