Whaddup, West Nile Virus? Where You Been? (m.07.26.10)
“Why if Noah had two mosquitoes on the arc didn’t he swat them?”
~ Unknown Jokester
Well, I’m fairly sure I am not the first to announce this midsummer, but hear me out – “PEOPLE OF ARIZONA…it sure sucks to be you!” Not only is it hotter than the dickens, (and I really have no idea what that means – however, now that I see it on paper, I must research this silly phrase) but you are sweating to death AND getting eaten alive by disease borne insects.
According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), as of July 20, 2010, Arizona has 50% of U.S. West Nile Virus (WNV) cases. Must be overachievers down there! Now isn’t that just awful! I’m sure the patients of this horrific disease don’t feel lucky, but I am shocked how few cases there are in the country. Check out these stats thus far…
CENTER OF DISEASE CONTROL STATISTICS
2010 West Nile Virus Human Infections
in the United States
(Reported to CDC as of July 20, 2010)
Human Cases Reported to CDC |
Presumptive viremic donors* |
||||
| State | Neuroinvasive disease cases | Nonneuroinvasive disease cases | Total cases | Deaths | |
| Alabama | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Arizona | 9 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 4 |
| California | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Colorado | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Georgia | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Kansas | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mississippi | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| North Dakota | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| South Dakota | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Texas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | 10 | 16 | 26 | 1 | 8 |
Neuroinvasive disease cases: refer to severe cases of disease that affect a person’s nervous system. These include encephalitis, meningitis, and acute flaccid paralysis which is an inflammation of the spinal cord that can cause a sudden onset of weakness in the limbs and/or breathing muscles.
Nonneuroinvasive disease cases: refer to typically less severe cases that show no evidence of neuroinvasion—primarily West Nile fever.
Now if your state isn’t listed, don’t start bragging to the rest of us, and don’t sit under the stars sans bug spray thinking, “Look at my state! We’re immune to that virus.” You are not. It’s just unbelievable how few cases there are in comparison to other years when everyone was freaking out and shrieking at cocktail parties, “What’s going to happen to us all?”
Remember, it was only a few years ago when we were instructed by high medical officials that, “If you find dead birds in your yard, you are doomed – but please call this little HOTLINE so we can make fun of you and add you to our list of sickies.” (I never called the hotline, but that’s what I heard)
I hope I am not jinxing our low numbers by discussing this, but it has been raining like the dickens (there I go again) all over the United States; so if history repeats itself, we should be covered in bites and the WNV numbers should be hiking upwards. Where did all the West Nile Virus go? Long time passing?
Now as most of you already know, one of my favorite summer activities is to scan the legs of Mid-westerners for bug bites. And most folk around my neck of the woods look like they have recently contracted chicken pox. My medical guess is it’s just the skeeters. Thank goodness the virus appears to be on a pseudo summer hiatus because we are itching and scratching out here!
Thankfully, this is what the government suggests you do (seriously…not a joke):
Recommendations for Prevention of West Nile Virus
CENTER OF DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) 2010
- 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.
Nurse Mommy’s Obsessive End Notes:
1) Please use insect repellent on your children until the CDC says we no longer have to worry about West Nile Virus.
2) Spraying the insecticides (with high “outdoor” percentages of DEET) should not go on the skin of young children. It can go on their clothing though.
3) Dickens (n.) = Deuce; devil – The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Ed. (1985)
(Apparently, “hotter than the dickens” means hotter than the devil. I guess it probably doesn’t “rain like the dickens.” Who knew?!)
Oh, did I happen to mention that mosquitoes are, and this is just my opinion, the worst living creatures on the planet?! I detest them and their scourging families! And I have no problem mentioning it to PETA about how much I love to squash their stinking little bodies. Is that so wrong?! Have a happy and safe summer!!
