Help Reduce the Spread of West Nile Virus
The West Nile Virus Program Coordinators within the Capital Region want
to advise all Dairy Farmers of the simple precautions they can take to
reduce the risk of West Nile Virus infection. It is that time of the
year again and everyone needs to take steps to reduce their risk of
becoming infected with West Nile Virus. If you are going to be outside,
remember to use insect repellent containing DEET — especially during
dawn and dusk – and wear long sleeves and light-colored clothing.
On Dairy farms, any water standing stagnant for 4 or more days can
produce mosquitoes. Common sources of standing water are gutters on
homes, barns, and outbuildings. Old equipment and tire piles that are
not covered and kept dry are another source. Potholes, tire ruts and
tramped areas near waterers should be filled to prevent water pooling.
Drainage ditches need to be free of debris and kept flowing to avoid
stagnant puddles. Water troughs need to be flushed frequently and rain
barrels need to be covered. Trench or Bunk Silo covers held down with
tires need to be inspected for mosquito larvae. It is recommended that
tires being used be split in half and have holes drilled to prevent
stagnant water from collecting. Manure pits need to be routinely
inspected for mosquito larvae and contact you county West Nile Virus
Coordinator for treatment options.
According to the New
Jersey Department of Agriculture, among mammals, neurological disease
has been seen mainly in horses and humans. Infections have also been
documented in gray squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, domestic rabbits,
cats, dogs, a wolf, sheep, goats, bats, an alpaca, a fox squirrel and a
mountain goat.
West Nile Virus is more of a human risk at
this time. Vaccines are available for horses but not for humans. While
most people infected do not get sick, a small percentage of those
infected will experience a fever, rash, headache, meningitis
(inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain), encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain) or even death, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
Anyone
is at risk, but older adults and people with compromised immune systems
have the highest risk of developing severe illness because their bodies
have a harder time fighting off disease.
Last year in
Pennsylvania, there were 9 human cases of West Nile Virus and two
deaths that were related to the infections. Five of the human cases,
one resulting in death were here in the Capital Region.
West
Nile Virus cases occur primarily in the late summer through early fall,
although mosquito season is usually April through October. During 2006
in Pennsylvania, 234 mosquito samples tested positive for the virus
from different areas of the commonwealth. Of the samples tested
positive for Nile Virus, 119 samples were from the Capital Region.
DEP
and your County West Nile Virus field assistants will be looking for
immature (larvae and pupae) and adult mosquitoes to determine if they
are the species known to carry the virus. We will also be noting their
number and geographic distribution. If sufficient numbers of these
mosquitoes are detected, they will be controlled using a powdered form
of naturally occur-ring bacteria or a mosquito growth hormone, both of
which are harmless to humans and other aquatic life.
The
departments of Agriculture and Health will perform laboratory testing
to determine if the virus is present in mosquitoes, animals and humans.
Dead birds can be an indicator of increased risk for West Nile virus.
There are approximately 150 bird species in PA that may transmit WNV.
For 2007, however, DEP is asking that Corvids (Blue jays, Crows &
Ravens) and Raptors-Birds of Prey (Hawk, Owl, Falcon, etc.) be reported
since these species are more likely to indicate the presence of WNV.
Because dead birds can be an indicator of increased risk for West Nile
virus infections, people are asked to report dead birds by going to the
Pennsylvania West Nile Web site at www.westnile.state.pa.us, or by
calling your County West Nile Program office or the Harrisburg office
of the Department of Environmental Protection at (717) 346-8238.
For information about West Nile virus symptoms in humans, contact the
Department of Health at 1-877- PA-HEALTH, or visit the West Nile Web
site at www.westnile.state.pa.us.
-------------------------------------------------
Thomas L. Smith, West Nile Virus Administrator – York County
