West Nile Virus, Hantavirus, Bubonic Plague...what's next?

[Josef]

Am I the only one who's thinks its starting to get a little crazy with all the illnesses and diseases that have been in the news lately?

West Nile Virus has been in the news for several years now, but never as much as it's been in the news this year. The whole hantavirus in Yosemite thing has been kind of a shock. But the little girl that came down with the bubonic plague recently has been the kicker.

What else is going to happen?

[longnecker]

Am I the only one who's thinks its starting to get a little crazy with all the illnesses and diseases that have been in the news lately?

West Nile Virus has been in the news for several years now, but never as much as it's been in the news this year. The whole hantavirus in Yosemite thing has been kind of a shock. But the little girl that came down with the bubonic plague recently has been the kicker.

What else is going to happen?

Is it getting worse or do we have more and more news outlets digging for "news"? With all the ads for getting your flu shot are the pharmacy companies profiting from all this news or feeding it?

[Pramick]

Hope it is not some sort of terrorist test to see how many and how fast they can get something to spread.

[max1]

Hey Pramick good to see ya :-)

[Crabby]

Lyme Disease is still around too, Bubonic shows up every summer(campers) but if treated with antibiotics early isn't a big deal. Hanta is around every year too, in very dry dusty areas where there are lots of rodents.It can be wind borne. West Nile is much bigger this year for some reason. There are others in the south west that we don't see here at all, Valley Fever being one of them. Can make some folks very sick. If you have a good immune system you could probably be exposed to these and never actually get sick.

[Joe Walther]

Lyme Disease is still around too, Bubonic shows up every summer(campers) but if treated with antibiotics early isn't a big deal. Hanta is around every year too, in very dry dusty areas where there are lots of rodents.It can be wind borne. West Nile is much bigger this year for some reason. There are others in the south west that we don't see here at all, Valley Fever being one of them. Can make some folks very sick. If you have a good immune system you could probably be exposed to these and never actually get sick.

I’ve seen the effects of Valley Fever up close and personal. I also had a personal introduction to Malaria back in the early ‘60s. I wouldn’t want to go through that again; to this day, I still cannot donate blood.

And if the climate shift trend continues, we’re going to be seeing a lot more of this, including the effects of some exotic parasites that have always been endemic only to the mid-southern latitudes. The most vulnerable part of this country, relative to some of the tropical parasites, is going to be the South—coast to coast.

[Jessica]

West Nile is bigger this year because there are simply more mosquitos. The winter was so mild and the the summer so hot that they bred early and often. In years past they were only something to worry about after dark, in the summer. We had them in the early Spring this year - and they were out at all times of the day.

West Nile is a funny thing - you may have had it before and not even know it. In most people it's non-symptomatic or mild. It might have felt like a summer cold or flu. It's only when it leads to encephalitis that it becomes serious.

[Crabby]

Jess, I'd forgotten about the mild winter. Of course that would allow the little biting buggers to increase. I HATE those tiny daytime skeeters. But, on the other hand we have had almost no stink bugs. I think something figured out to eat their eggs. Almost no tomato damage this year.

[Chase]

we got an email today about west nile

On Wednesday, Sept. 5, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that the United States is in the midst of one of the worst outbreaks of West Nile virus, and it is yet to subside. West Nile virus is a potentially serious viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes. Experts believe West Nile virus is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness.

In the last two weeks, there have been almost 2,000 cases involving people, including 87 deaths.
The following information is provided by the CDC to help keep you safe and healthy.

Preventing West Nile Virus

• The easiest and best way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites.
• When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.
• Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.
What Are the Symptoms of West Nile Virus?
• Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
• Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.
• No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms at all.
How Does West Nile Virus Spread?
• Infected Mosquitoes. Most often, West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread West Nile virus to humans and other animals when they bite.
• Transfusions, Transplants, and Mother-to-Child. In a very small number of cases, West Nile virus also has been spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from mother to baby.
• Not through touching. West Nile virus is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus.

If you find a dead bird: Don't handle the body with your bare hands. Contact your local health department for instructions on reporting and disposing of the body. They may tell you to dispose of the bird after they log your report.

[Bellicose]

Don't speak too soon Crabby, stink bugs have started popping up within the last week or so by us. Slowly starting to see an increase too, ugh!

[Spyder08]

If I remember, a couple of years ago the stink bugs were pretty bad during the summer months. Last year, I don't really remember seeing them until September/October but I don't think it was nearly as bad as the year before. I've started seeing a few in the past week. I'm hoping I don't see too many more. I hate those little bastards.

[Jessica]

I've noticed more stink bugs in the past few weeks. We had a ton of them in the Spring and now they're back. I'm thinking that it has something to do with the really hot and dry summer - maybe the cooler weather has brought them back?

[Bellicose]

Sure hope not....