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West Nile Virus vs. Anglers
Southern Louisiana: 8/03/02 - Everyone has probably heard of the West Nile Virus by now if you live in the Eastern half of the U.S. The virus has been around for the last three years, but now it's spreading into areas in the Southern United States where it can flourish. Fishermen need to take extra precautions to prevent contracting this killer virus. The number of reported cases in Southern Louisiana totaled 58 as of Friday, 8/2/02, and the death toll numbers four and counting. As a result, Louisiana's governor has declared a state of emergency in hopes of obtaining federal funds to finance increased spraying. Some residents are more afraid of the spraying than they are the mosquitoes that carry the virus. This has sadly been the case in Shreveport where mosquito control trucks are now being escorted by law enforcement officers after being stoned and fired on by BB guns. The insecticide may take a toll on fishing as well if other insects making up part of the diet of the local fish population are exterminated as well. This doesn't even start to make mention of what effect it could have on the residents of the local bodies of water. Humans will come out on top, no doubt, but hopefully the fish kill will be minimal. What precautions can fishermen take? Four letters, DEET, is the most important key. DEET is the active ingredient in most of the better insect repellants. Be sure the brand you're using has at least 10% DEET for adults and 5% for children. Make sure all exposed skin is treated and retreated as necessary. Rubber bands can be put around pant leg bottoms to prevent unwanted visitors inside. Mosquitoes zero in on heat, so it only makes sense to wear long sleeves and perhaps even a head net to minimize the amount of exposed heat releasing skin. Dark colors seem better than lighter ones as a first step in not attracting mosquitoes. Wearing all of this extra clothing may not be very comfortable in the midst of summer, but acceptable when considering the possible alternative. One of the best brands of repellants that I've used is "Muskol". While in Canada, in the height of mosquito and black fly season, my normal standby "Off" and my brother's "6-12" were ineffective in controlling these pests. "Muskol", while not the best smelling product, warded off the swarms and made the trip enjoyable. It's only fair to say that these companies seem to change formulas as needed and the other products mentioned may be fine now. Standing bodies of water like farm ponds, water in spare tires lying around, wading pools, and storm sewers are excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. If you live in one of the 31 affected states, you might want to take action to eliminate possible breeding areas. Signs that the West Nile virus might be present in your area could include dead blue jays, crows, or hawks. These birds should be collected, if not decomposed, and turned in to local health units in sealed plastic bags. Caution should be exercised to insure that these birds don't come in contact with human skin. There is no known cure for the virus, but clinical testing of treatments should begin soon. Officials state that only one in 200 cases will lead to "swelling of the brain" or more commonly known as encephalitis. The best precaution is to avoid the insects. Residents of Western states more than one state away from the Mississippi River can breathe fairly easy for now. There have been no reported cases in those states as of yet. It's not a bad idea to start taking precautions now. -Jim |
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