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Tuesday, 11 September, 2007 10:42 PM
West Nile Virus on the Rise -
Dengue Fever in U.S.
Memorial Day and the
4th of July are over and the battle of the bugs is
in full swing, or should we say… swat. By now, people are
frequenting
the outdoors regularly for everything from BBQ's to gardening, hiking
and camping. However, these days bugs are not simply annoying, but
potentially dangerous with the potential to carry serious diseases
such
as West Nile Virus, Lyme disease or even Dengue fever. No longer
are
these illnesses a threat to those living or traveling throughout
Asia
and Africa – they are here in the United States.
According to a recent
New York Times article, cases of West Nile virus
in 2007 are already four times what they were one year ago, pointing
to
what could be a serious epidemic as most cases occur in August and
September. Good Morning America recently reported that 1.3 million
Americans have been infected with the West Nile virus since 1999.
Only
one in five infected individuals show symptoms, but one out of every
150
people infected develop serious disease. There were 4,269 cases
of West
Nile virus reported to the CDC in 2006, including 177 deaths.
Also alarming are the
latest reports of dengue fever raging across Asia,
and described as the worst outbreak of the mosquito borne virus
in a
decade. Cases of dengue fever have also been detected within the
United
States with doctors and healthcare workers being warned to stay
on the
lookout for patients with symptoms of the disease, primarily in
southern
Texas.
Increasing international
travel, climate change, environmental
degradation and changing human migration patterns have all contributed
to shifting patterns of insect-borne disease in the United States
and
abroad. Some scientists predict a resurgence of tropical diseases
such
as malaria in zones where the disease had been eradicated such as
the
southern United States. As the emergence of West Nile Virus in the
United States has demonstrated, infectious and vector-borne diseases
know no borders and we should be vigilant about protecting ourselves
from these potentially deadly diseases.
Insect-Borne
Disease Symptoms & Prevention Techniques
What are the Symptoms
of West Nile Virus?
*Severe symptoms can include high fever, strong headache, nausea
and vomiting, neck stiffness and muscle aches, stupor, disorientation,
coma, tremors, convulsions, vision loss, numbness and paralysis
*No Symptoms in Most
People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who
are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
What are the Symptoms
of Dengue Fever?
High fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, and
rash. If
there is a rash, it appears 3-5 days after the on-set of the fever
–
usually in the torso area then spreading to arms, legs, and face.
Prevention Techniques
1.) Reduce the number of mosquito bites you get by wearing insect
repellent apparel such as Buzz Off Insect Shield (www.buzzoff.com),
and by using topical insect repellents when outdoors.
2.) Protect yourself
from dusk to dawn – the prime mosquito biting hours.
3.) Reduce the number
of mosquitoes around your home by eliminating standing water which
acts as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. (flower pots, children's
pools, watering cans, gutters etc.)
4.) Secure window and
door screens.
If you're not already
aware, Buzz Off Insect Shield clothing repels
mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers, and midges (no-see-ums.)
This
includes insects with the potential to carry diseases such as Malaria,
West Nile virus, Dengue fever and Lyme disease.
This form of insect protection
is convenient, invisible, odorless, and
as easy as putting on your clothes. Unlike traditional topical
repellents Buzz Off products cannot be misused or over-applied.
A
variety of shirts, pants, and accessories can be purchased from
Buzz
Off's brand partners such as ExOfficio, LL Bean, and Orvis.
Source: Buzzoff.com
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