West Nile Virus

West Nile virus or WNV is an infectious disease transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. The West Nile Virus was first found in 1999 in the Western Hemisphere and has since spread across the United States. It has also been detected in other countries such as El Salvador, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. The symptom of the disease is mild that it may go unnoticed for a long period of time. Symptoms include fever, head ache, body ache, rashes on the skin and a swollen lymph gland. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention over 15,000 have been tested for West Nile Virus. Statistically a person who contracts West Nile has a 1% chance of developing into a serious illness. People who are in danger are those who have low immune system. Elderly people are most at risk from West Nile Virus.

The virus becomes deadly once it enters the brain. It may then cause encephalitis or the inflammation of the brain. It may also spread through out the surrounding of the brain inflaming the tissue or the spinal cord or what is know as meningitis.

Not only are we at risk but recently it has been founded to have caused deaths in animals as well. It has become at threat to birds and horses around the Washington area. Because of its effect on livestock as well as to aviary the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has evaluated a number of detection and antibodies in horses.

A person considering mosquito control has little chance of success because one has to be familiar with: mosquito biology studying its structure through the use of a zoom microscope, identification and control strategies, among other things.

Also it is not that simple to acquire pesticide to combat West Nile Virus. Any commercial application of pesticide use for mosquitos requires a license. Individuals are only allowed to use pesticide within their property and are even required to apply for a license.

But if you do get interested in the treatment and combating West Nile Virus, the best resources are books on mosquito’s and seminars that are held by different association on mosquito control or related organization. In those seminars it will most likely include mosquito from development to birth; observing larvae through a zoom microscope, treatment that focuses in water borne mosquitos and insects. Remember, even though you are using pesticide to kill insects it will also kill non targeted insects, such as butterflies and bees. And one has to bear in mind the environment or areas that are being treated which can potentially harm individuals surrounding the area.

These include rivers, lakes, wetlands and other body of water. If you do acquire the necessary permits, licenses, to successfully combat West Nile Virus one has to learn to identify different mosquito species and treatment available. Also, you need to learn how to capture larval and adult mosquito, study them under a zoom microscope classifying them into their particular species, that right treatment can be applied to effectively control and eliminate WNV without the danger of contamination and affecting other insects.