Nile virus unlikely to affect humans
by Brian Shults, se news editor

    A recent mosquito-born virus has infected birds within the metroplex and threatens to possibly infect humans.

   West Nile Virus was found in the bodies of dead birds in the Dallas area and is believed to be the cause of death for several birds in the North Richland Hills vicinity.

   Tests are currently being run, but results will not be available until August, local health officials said.

   Dr. Bobby Jones, a Tarrant County epidemiologist, offered his opinion of the most effective preventative measures.

   Only residents have source control over mosquitoes. The city cannot efficiently prevent mosquito breeding by spraying. Individuals should continually change any standing water outside their homes, including pet water dishes, tires, buckets, wading pools and standing water under trees.

   Spraying is ineffective because it only affects mosquitoes flying in the area at the time. Another difficulty is mosquitoes must be sprayed between midnight and 4 a.m. because the heat dissipates the insecticide. The insecticide also causes environmental damage by affecting the atmosphere, Jones said.

   Some city officials including those in North Richland Hills are spraying certain high-risk areas in anticipation of further infection.

   The virus can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. Symptoms of infection include fever, headache, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands.

   Severe infection symptoms include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and occasionally death, Center for Disease Control (CDC), a government agency, statements said.

   Despite hazardous effects of the virus, human infection is unlikely. It is transmitted by infected mosquitoes to people, but only 1 to 2 percent of mosquitoes are infected and only 1 to 2 percent of the people bitten by an infected mosquito will become infected.

   Even a smaller number will be at risk for severe infection, Jones said.

   The West Nile Virus is getting all the attention in the press right now, but it is the puny mosquito-born virus on the block.

   St. Louis virus and others have been circulating in Texas for some time, but no human infections have been reported in the metroplex since the mid ’80s.

   Yet the CDC and Jones suggest residents take caution by emptying standing water. Individuals outside between dusk and dawn should wear mosquito repellent.

   Pets can also become infected by being bitten by mosquitoes in the same way as humans but cannot transmit it to humans.

   Horses in the Houston area have already tested positive, and county officials are stressing that horse owners in the metroplex take preventative measures.

   The CDC states there has recently been a vaccine for horses developed against West Nile, but its effectiveness is unknown. No vaccine has yet been approved for humans.

   The West Nile Virus originated in the Mid-East area and is more common in Africa, Eastern Europe, West Asia and the Middle Eastern countries. It is believed the virus entered America through a New York City port, but there is no conclusive evidence.

   Area newspapers have provided additional precautionary measures individuals can take, including putting screens on doors and windows and wearing long sleeves, long pants and hats when possible.

   Other measures include distributing insecticide pellets throughout drainage channels to kill mosquito larvae, but the effectiveness and environmental ramifications are in question.

   For more information regarding the virus, visit http://www.cdc. gov.