Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus detected in NYC
West Nile Virus is back, according to NEW YORK health officials. Tuesday, the city's Department of Health insurance and Mental Hygiene released a statement detailing the first signs of the mosquito-borne virus appearing this season in The Bronx and on Staten Island. So far, no one has been infected, reports New York Post.
The blood-sucking bugs become a nuisance between spring and late summer. Medical department has established 106 surveillance traps throughout the five boroughs and will be "increasing" their efforts in regions of West Nile "persistent" activity., such as for example using pesticides to curb the adult population while also targeting infected larvae before they are able to mature and bite, according to a statement.
This past year, at least four New Yorkers tested positive for the disease.West Nile virus is mild to asymptomatic for 80% of these who've it, but adults older than 50 are at an increased risk of extreme illness because of a weakening disease fighting capability, in line with the DOH.
The symptoms can resemble the flu or food poisoning - high fever, body aches and gastrointestinal issues are normal; more extreme symptoms, such as for example confusion, stiff neck, tremors, seizures and paralysis, indicate the virus has bring about a extreme infection of the mind and spinal cord.There is absolutely no known cure for the disease - only treatment for the symptoms.
Symptoms usually appear within three to 15 days to be bitten by an infected mosquito, who typically make their house near slow and standing water, such as ponds, swamps, puddles or buckets of water, and tend to bite at higher rates during dusk and dawn.
To lessen exposure, the DOH suggests using an approved insect repellent containing picaridin, DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil or products which contain the active component IR3535, which is the insecticide ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, and eliminating standing water from your own property.Now, officials added, would be a good time to completely clean those gutters.
