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West Nile Virus (WNV) Facts • Reducing The Risk Of Contracting WNV • Other Helpful Info

West Nile Virus (WNV) Facts

What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus (WNV) attacks the nervous system and the brain. Severe symptoms include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and death. WNV can also be fatal to your pets, horses, and other mammals.

Where Is WNV?
In 1937, WNV was first isolated in West Nile, Uganda. Since then, the virus has been isolated in eastern Europe, West Asia, and Africa. In 2001, WNV was confirmed for the first time in Ontario within the bird, mosquito, and mammal population including humans. In Ontario, Corvids (i.e. crows, ravens and blue jays) are thought to be the most important hosts in maintaining the endemic 'host-vector' cycle of virus transmission. Mosquitoes are the vectors that maintain this cycle and help spread the virus from bird-to-bird (Enzootic vectors) or bird-to-mammal (Bridging vectors). The recent incidence of WNV in North America has alerted public health professionals to the importance of WNV surveillance.

Confirmed Cases of West Nile Virus in Canada
167 Neurological Syndromes
1,127 Fever
16 Asymptomatic Infection
14 Deaths
1,388 Total Updated May 12, 2004 c/o Health Canada

Reducing The Risk Of Contracting WNV

Kill Mosquitoes Where They Breed
The first way to reduce the risk is the elimination or treatment of standing water where mosquitoes breed. Biological control agents, genetically known as B.t.i. are specific to mosquito larvae (wrigglers) and are available to cottage owners, rural dwellers and farmers as the product known as AQUABAC.

Kill Mosquitoes Where They Fly
The second way to reduce the risk is the eliminatation of flying mosquitoes from the areas where you and your loved ones are by means of a product known to cottage owners, rural dwellers and farmers as the BUG EATER.

Home Remedies For Repelling Mosquitoes
  1. Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets - Best thing ever used in Louisiana, apparently and great for babies... just wipe on & go!
  2. Take one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October - Bob, a fisherman, said it works. He hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. (Vitimin B-1 = Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)
  3. Don't eat Bananas - If you eat bananas, mosquitoes like you (something about the banana oil as your body processes it.) Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested.
  4. Vick's Vaporub - This is going to floor you, but one of the best insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day), is Vick's Vaporub.
  5. Plant marigolds around the yard - The flowers give off a smell that bugs do not like, so plant some in appropriate places to help ward off bugs without using insecticides.
  6. Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol - "Tough guy" Marines, who spend a great deal of time "camping out", say that the very best mosquito repellant you can use is this half-and-half mixture.
  7. Vanilla Extract - One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks.
  8. Essential Oils Lavender and Citronella - Repellents containing essential plant oils (e.g. Citronella oil (5-10%) or lavender oil, sometimes used in combination with tea tree oil, coconut oil, almond oil, etc.) will provide 30-60 minutes protection.
  9. Fresh Mint - Make a solution of mint oil and rubbing alcohol, place in a spray bottle and spray yourself before any outings, the mint acts as a natural deterrent for most insects.
        When all else fails, get a frog...

Other Helpful Info

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