Chargerz Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 CBS/AP) West Nile virus continues to ramp up in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there have been 693 cases of the disease as of August 14, with 26 deaths. Mayor Mike Rawlings declared a state of emergency in Dallas on Wednesday and said the city would agree to their first aerial spraying of insecticide since 1966, when more than a dozen deaths were blamed on encephalitis - irritation or swelling of the brain - due to West Nile virus. More than 200 cases of the virus have been reported in Dallas County, and 10 people have died. In the state, there have been more than 380 cases of West Nile virus in 2012, including 16 deaths, on track to have the most cases in the state since the virus first emerged in 2002, health officials said in a statement. Dallas joins a list of North Texas cities that will also employ aerial spraying to combat the nation's worst outbreak of West Nile virus so far this year. Aerial spraying for mosquitoes could begin Thursday evening depending on weather conditions. The state health department, which will pay for the $500,000 aerial spraying with emergency funds, has a contract with national spraying company Clarke. Clarke officials have said two to five planes will be used in Dallas County. Texas health commissioner David Lakey has asked other North Texas mayors to advise the state by Wednesday on whether they want their cities sprayed from the air as well. Mayor Rawlings said that Dallas County accounts for 25 percent of all reported West Nile virus cases in the United States. Health officials say this summer's dry weather has made people worry less about mosquitoes. But the type of mosquito that carries the virus does well in dry weather with occasional rain. Up north in South Dakota, the state's dry summer has helped spread West Nile virus. A state report says there have been 41 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne illness this year - the biggest number since 2007. One person has reportedly died from the virus. South Dakota disease specialist Dr. Lon Kightlinger says the actual number of West Nile cases is probably much higher, because most people don't know they have the virus. It can cause body aches, chills and low-grade fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in 150 patients becomes sick with symptoms that may include paralysis and coma. Across the country, in Massachusetts, health officials say a Middlesex County man in his 60s has been hospitalized with the state's first human case of West Nile virus this year but is recovering. Infected mosquitoes have been found in nine Massachusetts counties this year. The state on Wednesday raised the virus' threat rate to "moderate" in Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville and Watertown, and also raised the threat level to "high" in Ludlow in western Massachusetts because a horse was infected there. On Wednesday, Indiana recorded its first death from West Nile virus but didn't disclose information about the victim. The state has seen seven confirmed cases of the disease this year, it said. Health officials recommend using insect repellent and draining standing water, where mosquitoes breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 I saw a report on the local news here about that!! Scary!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebellab Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 We had a death here about two weeks ago. They test donated blood for it and they have found a few cases in South Dakota that the people didn't know they even had it. i figure that I have had it in the past and thought it was a flu/cold type thing that drug me down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliaz Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Interesting enough I am currently reviewing the NC State Hazard Mitigation Plan for the state during their open, public input period before they finalizing it. One thing I see a general lack of attention on (not only in NC) is mitigation tactics against situations like this one. Kind of scary how ill prepared we truly are against a biological threat. Pandemics are as terrifying as they are fascinating to me. Viruses have become such a strong interest with me over the past 4 years. Amazing entities - not alive by definition, can mutate faster than we can anticipate and can devastate a population and break down social structure with ease. I need to find the name of the documentary I watched recently and post it. It was about the small pox outbreak in Montreal in 1885 and then a theoretical pandemic in modern times. Really good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 We need to bring back those trucks that sprayed DDT and other insecticides. I have fond memories of running behind them in the mist they put out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 We need to bring back those trucks that sprayed DDT and other insecticides. I have fond memories of running behind them in the mist they put out. You are too young for that, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 You are too young for that, For the DDT, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby's Hubby Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 We are 2 hours away from Dallas and in the piney woods where there is an abundance of water spots for mosquito breeding. The Dallas statistic really scares me. We needed a freeze this year to kill as much larva as possible, but didn't get one. I cannot go outside for one minute without being bitten. I fog my yard every other week, I have four centranella torches burning and they still attack. This stuff is scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 They are horrendous around my house this year and I think I caught the west nile virus yesterday. But, I'd rather go that route than be bitten by the freaking yellow flies (these are not to be confused with deer flies who's bites are pleasant in comparison) in S. GA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 why does everyone hate Minnesotas state bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Yeah, mosquitoes are really bad in my neighborhood this year too. The mild Winter & wet Summer has done us no favors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Yeah, mosquitoes are really bad in my neighborhood this year too. The mild Winter & wet Summer has done us no favors. Worse than the biting gnats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Worse than the biting gnats? Gnats are only out early Spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Dogs are in for the night. Concrete birdbath upside down. Bird feeder on front porch. Alley cat my wife takes care of crated and on front porch. If I don't wake up with a yard full of dead birds and squirrels I am hoping this helps with the bugs but doubt it will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingfootball Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Drought has really sucked here. But if there was an upside, no standing water. Dont think I have had a bite all summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 First thing I noticed this morning was that the crickets survived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 First thing I noticed this morning was that the crickets survived. First thing I noticed this morning was that I had wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Drought has really sucked here. But if there was an upside, no standing water. Dont think I have had a bite all summer. Good point. My lawn looks like crap but there aren't near as many bugs. I went golfing last Tuesday and the water hazards were basically 3/4 dirt pits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTed46 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 First thing I noticed this morning was that I had wood. You must have 20/20 vision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEC=UGA Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 You must have 20/20 vision More like Braille. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Some of the old timers here will remember when I hit the Arkansas trifecta of west nile, Meningitis, and rocky mountain tick fever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millerx Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I never understood the purpose of mosquitoes... I mean, most animals and insects tend to serve a purpose, but not these bastards! I mean, bees, ants, butterflies, etc... pollinate and/or have a reason for "being"... TWINKIES ANYONE are mosquitoes good for in the world?? They suck!... Literally! (and yes I used "literally") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 TWINKIES ANYONE are mosquitoes good for in the world?? Nothing other than being in the food chain for fish (larva) and birds, bats and spiders. Other than that, I can't think of a single thing they are good for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 I never understood the purpose of mosquitoes. They are the vampires of the insect world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I never understood the purpose of mosquitoes... I mean, most animals and insects tend to serve a purpose, but not these bastards! I mean, bees, ants, butterflies, etc... pollinate and/or have a reason for "being"... TWINKIES ANYONE are mosquitoes good for in the world?? They suck!... Literally! (and yes I used "literally") ticks too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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