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Concerning West Nile Virus (WNV)
Byock, it's up to you to let us know...
...Chickens are used as “sentinels” to detect
when the virus is present in mosquitoes as a warning for humans, horses and other animals.
Since people can become infected with WNV through mosquito bites, individuals should
protect themselves.
• Protect from dusk to dawn. That is when mosquitoes that carry the virus are most
active, so take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
• Use repellent with DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), following the label instructions
carefully. For adults, use repellents containing DEET at 30-35% concentration. For
children 2-12, use repellents containing 10% or less DEET. Do not use on children
under the age of 2.
• Take cover. Wear light-colored, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Use mosquito
netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small
babies any time.
• Make sure screen doors and window screens are in good condition. Small holes are
large enough to allow mosquitoes to enter.
Around your home and property, eliminate places for mosquitoes to reproduce:
• Eliminate standing water sources around housing areas, such as water in old tires,
cans, poorly kept swimming pools, toys, wheelbarrows, etc.
• Water that is kept outside for a reason, such as pet water dishes, birdbaths, etc., needs
to be changed at least once every 2-3 days.
• Clean rain gutters at least once a year.
• Aerate ornamental ponds or contact your local mosquito abatement district about
pond treatment.
• Maintain swimming pools properly or drain them.
WNV can be a very serious disease, which can result in death. Even in areas affected by
WNV, most mosquitoes do not carry the virus, therefore the risk of being infected from a
single mosquito bite is very low. Infected mosquitoes do not look or behave differently from mosquitoes that are not infected. If a person is bitten by an infected mosquito and becomes
infected, four out of five people will not develop any symptoms of the disease, and only
about 1 in 150 will become seriously ill. However, it’s still important to prevent mosquito
bites since WNV can cause a serious illness, especially in persons over 50 years of age or
with weak immune systems. People with serious West Nile diseasehave a high fever,
fatigue, and headache and may become confused, have seizures, go into a coma, or rarely,
die. There is no specific treatment or human vaccine for WNV.The virus is spread from bird-to-bird by mosquitoes. Many birds can
become infected with the virus and not become sick, while other birds, especially crows,
ravens, magpies and jays, often die when infected with the virus. Individuals can also help
by watching for and reporting dead crows, raptors, ravens, magpies, or jays.
when the virus is present in mosquitoes as a warning for humans, horses and other animals.
Since people can become infected with WNV through mosquito bites, individuals should
protect themselves.
• Protect from dusk to dawn. That is when mosquitoes that carry the virus are most
active, so take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
• Use repellent with DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), following the label instructions
carefully. For adults, use repellents containing DEET at 30-35% concentration. For
children 2-12, use repellents containing 10% or less DEET. Do not use on children
under the age of 2.
• Take cover. Wear light-colored, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Use mosquito
netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small
babies any time.
• Make sure screen doors and window screens are in good condition. Small holes are
large enough to allow mosquitoes to enter.
Around your home and property, eliminate places for mosquitoes to reproduce:
• Eliminate standing water sources around housing areas, such as water in old tires,
cans, poorly kept swimming pools, toys, wheelbarrows, etc.
• Water that is kept outside for a reason, such as pet water dishes, birdbaths, etc., needs
to be changed at least once every 2-3 days.
• Clean rain gutters at least once a year.
• Aerate ornamental ponds or contact your local mosquito abatement district about
pond treatment.
• Maintain swimming pools properly or drain them.
WNV can be a very serious disease, which can result in death. Even in areas affected by
WNV, most mosquitoes do not carry the virus, therefore the risk of being infected from a
single mosquito bite is very low. Infected mosquitoes do not look or behave differently from mosquitoes that are not infected. If a person is bitten by an infected mosquito and becomes
infected, four out of five people will not develop any symptoms of the disease, and only
about 1 in 150 will become seriously ill. However, it’s still important to prevent mosquito
bites since WNV can cause a serious illness, especially in persons over 50 years of age or
with weak immune systems. People with serious West Nile diseasehave a high fever,
fatigue, and headache and may become confused, have seizures, go into a coma, or rarely,
die. There is no specific treatment or human vaccine for WNV.The virus is spread from bird-to-bird by mosquitoes. Many birds can
become infected with the virus and not become sick, while other birds, especially crows,
ravens, magpies and jays, often die when infected with the virus. Individuals can also help
by watching for and reporting dead crows, raptors, ravens, magpies, or jays.
Chickens are used as “sentinels” to detect when the virus is present in mosquitoes as a warning for humans...
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