West Nile in Alabama
We are now seeing the worst outbreak of West Nile virus in Alabama in years. The State’s Public Health Veterinarian, Dee Jones explains that most people won’t exhibit any signs. But he notes that 20% will. They’ll experience flu-like symptoms, fever, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, rash and general malaise. Then there’s a small sample of that population that risk a serious neurological infection which includes encephalitis.
Humans aren’t the only ones to be plagued by this illness. Horses and wild birds are likewise susceptible to the virus.
The insects that carry this potentially deadly disease are mosquitoes.
Fortunately, there are solutions that you can employ to take care of your little corner of the earth from an invasion. We at Vulcan Termite and Pest Control have designed a program to suppress the biting and breeding adult mosquito population. We also break the life cycle by treating the breeding areas where eggs and larvae harbor and develop. Finally, we can assist you in finding and remedying conducive conditions contributing to mosquito infestation.
People who are older than 50, those who have had organ transplants and people with medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease are especially vulnerable to developing a case of West Nile Virus.
It was first discovered in Uganda in eastern Africa in 1937. It took over 60-years to find its way to America, showing-up in the summer of 1999 in New York. Since then, it’s spread throughout the United States.
Researchers speculate that a mosquito becomes a carrier after it bites an infected bird and then feeds on a person.
Here’s something important to note. Mosquitoes, in the early fall, have the highest amounts of virus. That’s why more folks get sick in late August and early September. The risk goes down when the season gets colder, killing-off the ‘skeeters.
The best way to prevent an infection is to try to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito. Community spraying for mosquitoes can prevent mosquito breeding, but that may not be enough. Getting a professional on-your-side involved will definitely lower the risk.
In the meantime, use mosquito-repellant products containing DEET. Wearing long sleeves and pants helps cordon-off your body to a bug bite. From a preventative standpoint, drain all puddles and pools of standing water. Things like discarded tires, trash bins and plant saucers need to be dealt with immediately. You see, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water like in the picture below.
