Above-Average Rain, Temperatures Increase West Nile Virus Risks.LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. -- Wetter-than-normal conditions combined with warmer weather have experts worrying about an increase in mosquito populations, which could lead to a greater incidence of the West Nile virus West Nile virus, microorganism and the infection resulting from it, which typically produces no symptoms or a flulike condition. The virus is a flavivirus and is related to a number of viruses that cause encephalitis. this year. Overall, temperature and precipitation were above average across the contiguous United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , according to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA NOAA abbr. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Noun 1. NOAA - an agency in the Department of Commerce that maps the oceans and conserves their living resources; predicts changes to the earth's environment; ) National Climatic Data Center. NOAA reported the start of 2005 was one of the wettest and warmest in history. The above average rainfall over much of the U.S. has left pools of standing water that make the perfect habitat for developing mosquito larvae Larvae, in Roman religion Larvae: see lemures. , potential transmitters of the West Nile virus. One option to help curb the spread of the West Nile virus is larviciding, applying naturally occurring bacteria to water sources where mosquito larvae develop. The material is ingested in·gest tr.v. in·gest·ed, in·gest·ing, in·gests 1. To take into the body by the mouth for digestion or absorption. See Synonyms at eat. 2. by the larvae and disrupts their digestive systems, preventing the larvae from developing into biting adult mosquitoes. The larvicides are environmentally friendly and have no effect on humans, fish, animals or beneficial insects. "Biological larviciding is one of the most effective and environmentally friendly means of controlling mosquitoes," said Dr. Ned Walker, an entomology entomology, study of insects, an arthropod class that comprises about 900,000 known species, representing about three fourths of all the classified animal species. professor at Michigan State University Michigan State University, at East Lansing; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1855. It opened in 1857 as Michigan Agricultural College, the first state agricultural college. . "Many public health departments have added larviciding to their mosquito control programs because it helps reduce the mosquito population to a level that can be effectively controlled later in the season." Walker said larviciding is a more natural way for communities to reduce the mosquito population and protect against the West Nile virus. Plus, mosquito control programs containing a comprehensive larval larval 1. pertaining to larvae. 2. larvate. larval migrans see cutaneous and visceral larva migrans. control component have shown a proportionally lower number of West Nile virus cases. Residents can call their local health department to see if larviciding is being done near their homes and can help reduce the mosquito population with the following steps: --Eliminate standing water that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes --Remove unnecessary items that hold water including tires, wading pools, toys and buckets --Add fresh water to bird baths and plants every few days --Ensure swimming pools and ponds are cleaned and circulated properly --Unclog gutters and drainage ditches that may hold water For more information about larviciding and how to help your community prepare for the upcoming mosquito season, visit www.mosquitoawareness.com. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion