Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

By Alvin D. Jackson, M.D.
Contributing Columnist
Union County Post

DISEASE PROTECTION – Taking precautions to combat mosquitoes prevents the spread of disease. (File Photo)

It was first identified in 1937 in Uganda and has since caused outbreaks in Egypt, Asia, Israel, South Africa and parts of Europe.
It first appeared in the United States in 1999 in New York City and has since spread steadily across the country.
Since it was first detected in Ohio in 2001, nearly 700 of this state's residents have been reported to have this disease and, sadly, 50 of them have died.
And, it can be prevented.
What is it? It is West Nile Virus (WNV).
A bird disease that is especially fatal to Crows and Blue Jays, WNV is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. While the vast majority - more than 99 percent - of mosquitoes are not infected and the vast minority - less than one of every 150 people bitten by an infected mosquito - will get sick, those older than 50 are at risk for serious complications such as meningitis, encephalitis and death.
The Ohio Department of Health, in concert with local health departments, tests mosquitoes and dead birds to determine the amount of WNV activity in the state. As of this writing, one group of mosquitoes from Cuyahoga County has tested positive.
Urban areas - with lots of birds, mosquitoes and people in dense areas - have been hard hit by WNV. Indeed, New York City, Chicago and Cleveland have each had large outbreaks. With that said, we must note that rural areas get hit, too.
So, whether you live in Columbus or Cincinnati, Chillicothe or Castalia - or points in between - it's time to take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from this potentially fatal disease. Mosquitoes do not respect county lines, and public health cannot possibly test all mosquitoes and birds, so we have to assume the virus is potentially spread statewide.
WNV is unpredictable and it's difficult to tell how the 2008 season will unfold. Will it be like 2002, when 441 Ohioans were sickened and 31 died? Or will it resemble 2004, when there was just 12 reported cases and two of them were fatal?
We don't know. WNV activity is dependent mostly on short-term weather patterns. But how do you prevent WNV? Avoid mosquito bites. And how do you prevent mosquito bites? A couple of ways: first, you may have noticed local health departments fogging neighborhoods to kill mosquitoes; second, follow this simple advice.

· Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.
· If you must be outdoors when mosquitoes are active, cover up by wearing shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Light colors are less attractive to mosquitoes.
· Use mosquito repellent and follow the label directions.

WNV is spread mostly by the Culex mosquito which breeds effectively in small pools of standing, stagnant waters; flood waters tend to produce pest mosquitoes that don't easily spread such viruses. Please take the following actions to reduce mosquito-breeding sites near your property - and help your loved ones do the same:

· Remove all discarded tires from your property.
· Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers.
· Make sure screens are in good repair.
· Make sure roof gutters drain properly; clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
· Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. If not in use, keep empty and covered.
· Drain water from pool covers.
· Change the water in bird baths at least once a week.
· Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows, etc. when not in use.
· Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.

Take these actions now until the first hard frost to help fight the bite and lessen WNV's impact on Ohioans this year.

Alvin D. Jackson, M.D., is director of the Ohio Department of Health.