Западно-нильский вирус - что это?

Сегодня в новостях увидела, что в Сакраменто, в частности в Норт Хайланде, производят по ночам опрыскивание растительности из самолетов. Этим пытаются избавится от москитов, которые являются разносчиками западно-нильского вируса. От этого вируса уже скончалось 3 человека в штате. Кто-нибудь что-нибудь знает об этом? Поделитесь информацией, а то, как оказалось, мы живем в самом эпицентре.

вот что я нашел Multnomah County |

а прыскают только в районе сакрамоенто или есть сведения и о других городах?

Я смотрела местный канал, поэтому там говорили только о Сакраменто.
Здесь информация о распространении вируса и о количестве зараженных людей, животных и птиц по Калифорнии http://westnile.ca.gov/
В интернете нашла информацию о том, что вирус пришел с восточного побережья где-то в 2002 году и постепенно дошел и до Западного. Если я правильно поняла, то это то же самое, что в России называется “птичий грипп”.

West Nile virus is one of the many members of the genus Flavivirus that are known to cause human disease. The life cycle of the virus involves the transmission of the virus from an animal to humans via mosquitoes. The virus can infect horses, birds, dogs, and other mammals. However, wild birds are apparently the optimal hosts for harboring and replicating the virus.

West Nile virus has been reported in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, where the most recent outbreaks were noted. In 1999, the first cases of West Nile virus disease were reported in New York City, and the infection has been spreading throughout the North American continent ever since. In 2002, a total of 3,389 cases were reported in the United States. Approximately 55% of these cases were from the Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana).

Mortality/Morbidity:

  • Reports indicate that less than 1% of those infected develop severe illness, and of those with severe illness secondary to West Nile virus infection, 3-15% die.
  • Severe disease particularly affects the elderly. Advanced age is by far the greatest risk factor for the severity neurologic disease, long-term morbidity, and death, especially in those older than 75 years.

History:

  • Mosquito bites may or may not be present. History of travel to or from an area known to harbor the virus is common.
  • The incubation period is postulated to be approximately 5-15 days.

Symptoms of mild infection may last 3-6 days, and include fever in 20%. Other symptoms include nausea, anorexia, malaise, myalgia, headache, rash, eye pain, and vomiting.

Symptoms of more severe illness include severe muscle weakness; flaccid paralysis; photophobia; seizures; mental status changes; respiratory symptoms; and an erythematous, maculopapular, or morbilliform rash involving the neck, trunk, arms, or legs. The severity of the illness is related to the degree of central nervous system invasion by the virus.

Deterrence/Prevention:

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer 3 major suggestions to help prevent West Nile virus infection: (1) avoiding mosquito bites, (2) mosquito-proofing homes, and (3) supporting community-based efforts.

Avoiding mosquito bites

  • Individuals should apply insect repellent containing (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) to exposed skin whenever they go outdoors. In addition using permethrin on clothing is very effective as an insecticide and as a repellent.
  • When possible, people should wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
  • Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or DEET provides additional protection. However, repellents containing permethrin should not be applied directly to the skin, and repellent containing DEET should not be applied to skin under clothing.
  • The peak hours for mosquito bites are from dusk to dawn. Individuals are advised to use repellent and protective clothing in the evening and early morning or to consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
    Mosquito-proofing homes
  • Because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, containers or bodies of standing water should be drained if possible.
  • People can help prevent mosquitoes from entering their homes by repairing or installing screens on their doors and windows.
    Supporting community-based efforts
    Dead birds can indicate the presence of the West Nile virus in a community and should be reported to local health authorities.

Prognosis:

The prognosis is generally good.
However, the elderly and those with multiple medical complications have a poorer prognosis.

не знаю… насколько я поняла, у птичьего гриппа симптомы всегда проявляются, а не только иногда… хотя я могу и ошибаться…

[Bird flu = avian influenza] не имеет прямого отношения к [West Nile Virus] - обе инфекции вызываются вирусами разных видов. Птичий грипп передается от птиц к человеку без участия москитов (как при [West Nile]).

Usually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and has been limited, inefficient and unsustained.

Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which virus aused the infection.

Не надо паниковать!

Опрыскивают еще в начале лета в болотистых местах. У нас тут тоже опрыскивали.

ох не нравится мне все это :frowning:

Живущие здесь давно, говорят, что и в прошлом году тоже прыскали. Так что это, скорее всего, профилактика. Но напрягает то, что нежелательно по ночам (прыскают ночью) открывать окна, двери и включать кондиционер. Видимо, эта химия не только на москитов плохо влияет :mda: