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West Nile Virus Epidemic

Snoogans

By Snoogans
in General geocaching topics

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Snoogans

+Snoogans

Posted
Posted (edited)

The West Nile Virus has reached epidemic stage in Dallas county where there have already been 9 WNV related deaths and hundreds of confirmed cases. :sad:

 

Meanwhile a few hours south, in Houston, where I live, Dr. Rudy Bueno, Harris County Mosquito Control Director, stated that 90% of the mosquitos tested in the Houston area are testing positive for the virus. FREAKIN' 90%!!! :blink::huh:

 

In doing the research to send a mass email out to the employees of my company and our tenants, I discovered that it's not just Texas that needs to take precautions....

 

Here is the Centers of Disease Control WNV resource. Please take a moment to learn more.

 

Don't stop cachin', but be extra careful especially in the early morning and evenings when the nasty little critters are most active.

 

Oh, I meant this as a joke back in 2003, but it sadly has been proven to be true... geocaching:(v) Wayyy more chances to contract West Nile or Lyme Disease than the average person... :mellow:

 

Anyone know of any cachers that have contracted WNV??? :unsure:

 

Be careful out there and don't forget the mosquito repellant.

Edited by Snoogans
Isonzo Karst

+Isonzo Karst

Posted
Posted

As a tag line on some hides and some cache logs I use, "DEET or die". It's not a joke.

 

There's no reason to be bitten by mosquitoes, effective repellent exists. It has to be used, generously, on your entire body.

 

I see people barely spray a tad vaguely near their body, and walk off into the woods. And those who have it "back in the car", or in the other pack, or in the pack they're carrying, but they'd rather swat and hope. It's in every bag I carry (bike, hike, kayak) and every car I drive. I apply generously, every day, every time I head outside.

 

In addition to viral diseases mosquitoes carry, they carry encephalitis. In Florida there's some EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis) and WEE (western equine) outbreak every year. People die from it as well as horses.

Tobias & Petronella

+Tobias & Petronella

Posted
Posted

There's no reason to be bitten by mosquitoes, effective repellent exists. It has to be used, generously, on your entire body.

 

Not everyone can use that stuff. For myself, I have tried many different sprays, creams and gels and my body just doesn't like them. Most of the time I either get light headed, break out in a cold sweat or have a tough time breathing. With Deet and some of the other main stream products it's all three at the same time... not fun. And with that Avon stuff, I sweat it off in just a few minutes.

 

If I'm going into a really bad mosquitoe area I just wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants and a hat. I live in Washington State (like some other states), West Nile Virus isn't a problem here.

 

Tobias

Mudfrog

+Mudfrog

Posted
Posted

It seems that i encounter mosquitos many times when caching. I realize there are nasty diseases that can be passed along by these blood thirsty critters but even so, i very rarely use any bug repellent. Chicken, my wife, can't use anything with DEET in it without becoming sick. She can use a few other types but most of them aren't as affective. For me, it goes on my clothing if i do end up having to use it. I feel that insect repellents are another one of those things that are slowly killing us. For me, i'd rather take my chances with the skeeters. ;)

JBnW

+JBnW

Posted
Posted

That's not good for your area.

I live in a white state as long as those pesky things observe borders.

Lucky you! I live in a state that has 4 of 105 counties with confirmed human cases...one of the confirmed counties is ours! :( One would think the drought we've been going through would've kept them critters at bay, seems to have just made them hungrier!

Harry Dolphin

+Harry Dolphin

Posted
Posted

The intresting aspect is that a lot of diseases are either named after the person who wrote the paper about it, or the place wereh it was majorly observed. Lyme Disease from Lyme, Ct. Ebola from Ebola River, Congo.

West Nile-like Fever was first detected in the US in New York City. It is not the same as West Nile Fever, but of similar origins. It is West Nile-like. New York had enough power/chutzpah to get it decdlared "West Nile-Like Fever" rather than "New York City Fever". It quickly became known as West Nile Fever.

Speaking of equine encephalitis, my grandfather died of that in the outbreak in New York City in 1921.

NYPaddleCacher

+NYPaddleCacher

Posted
Posted

I'm still more worried about the other crazy diseases ticks spread (other than lymes) more than west nile.

 

I'd also be worried about some of the other diseases that mosquitoes carry when visit some places outside the U.S. Mosquito born malaria is quite common in Africa and other tropical areas. The CDC estimates that there are 300-500 million cases of malaria each year, and more than 1 million people die from it. When I was in Tanzania a couple of months ago, one of the other instructors in the workshop I was teaching contracted Malaria during a visit in Ethiopia a week earlier. Then there's dengue fever. It produces a fever of up to 104-105 that can last for a week and there's no treatment for it other than water for dehydration and tylenol to bring down the fever.

 

I have not only encountered ticks, and mosquitoes in areas where Malaria is common, but the scariest insect I encountered while geocaching was a dozen or so tsetse flies in the vehicle I was in (in Mikumi National Park in Tanzania). TseTse flies can carry African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness. The symptoms sounds pretty nasty, and if left untreated, are fatal.

knowschad

knowschad

Posted
Posted

Another WNV death in Texas last night which brings the total to 17 for the entire state.

Why so high in Texas? Any thoughts on that? I presume this is not one of the regions of Texas that has been hit by the drought?

Snoogans

+Snoogans

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Another WNV death in Texas last night which brings the total to 17 for the entire state.

Why so high in Texas? Any thoughts on that? I presume this is not one of the regions of Texas that has been hit by the drought?

 

Dallas is in the drought area and it is the hardest hit with 9 deaths. Houston is not in the drought area, is infested with mosquitos, and only has one death.

 

There is a school of thought that a great deal of the folks in Houston harbor an immunity due to frequent exposure to WNV bearing mossies. I can't find anything official on that even though it sounds plausable. I was thinking along those lines when I discovered that others were thinking the same. It stands to reason that the 4th largest city in the U.S. should have more cases based on the CDC's 15%-20% statistic with 1 in 150 being serious to fatal. But we don't...

 

It would be interesting to test the local cachers to see who has WNV antibodies in their system. I'm seriously considering asking my company doctor to take a sample from me and have it tested. I'm a mosquito magnet.

 

BTW we did have one cacher contract WNV but it was awhile back from what I was told.

Edited by Snoogans
Ms.Scrabbler

+Ms.Scrabbler

Posted
Posted

Another WNV death in Texas last night which brings the total to 17 for the entire state.

Scary. Are they spraying or doing anything like treating water supplies where they breed? I know spraying is frowned upon but that stuff gets in our food anyway. I'd want what ever could be done, done.

 

This is the first year I've lived in an apartment so I'm not hanging out in the yard like I used to, but I do have a balcony with my hammock set up that I frequent. I'm knocking on wood like crazy but I'll say it - I have not seen a mosquito yet this year. shhhh

knowschad

knowschad

Posted
Posted

It would be interesting to test the local cachers to see who has WNV antibodies in their system. I'm seriously considering asking my company doctor to take a sample from me and have it tested. I'm a mosquito magnet.

 

geocaching: Wayyy more chances to become immune to West Nile, or Lyme Disease than the average person.-Snoogans (sometime in 2012)

Chokecherry

+Chokecherry

Posted
Posted

What were the complicating factors with the deaths? A tiny percentage of people will have a life threatening illness from the virus. You're more likely too with other factors that affect your immune response. Some people will get sick but the majority have symptoms that are annoying but nothing more.

 

I suspect the rate of west Nile infection is much higher than reported since those with mild symptoms wouldn't seek treatment.

ad5smith

ad5smith

Posted
Posted (edited)

Well there are 44 cases of it in Oklahoma, 14 in Tulsa, I work in rent to own and I an outside a lot. I just watched a news report and one of the neighborhoods that they interviewed a case from is one I've been to about 5 times in the last two months :ph34r:

Edited by ad5smith
kissguy&frannyfru

+kissguy&frannyfru

Posted
Posted

Ok,for all the folks that can't or don't like using deet(like me) i have found a product that seems to be even better. It's called Permethrin. The difference is you don't spray it on yourself but on your clothes. You spray your clothes and let it dry and it says it lasts up to 8 weeks and through repeated washings. This is the same stuff that is on the pads of the therma-cell. I bought some and was kinda doubtful how it would work. Well it's been 6 weeks and we have been caching pretty heavy in wooded areas where we would normally have several ticks,chiggers and skeeter bites. We have not had a single tick,chigger or skeeter bite since,NOT ONE! This stuff really works,it not only repels but it also kills the little suckers. It is oderless when dried and not harmful to humans.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VCRX2S/ref=asc_df_B007VCRX2S2138777/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395021&creativeASIN=B007VCRX2S&linkCode=asn&hvpos=1o2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9851060771119351571&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

Sol seaker

+Sol seaker

Posted
Posted

I can't use Deet either. (my phone just auto corrected that to "feet". :D. )

 

That stuff stores up in your body and is highly toxic.

I eat vitamin b and garlic and that does a great job. They may land on me now and then (although not often) but they won't bite.

 

If they get really thick I also use "All Terrain Herbal Armor".

nthacker66

+nthacker66

Posted
Posted

Ok,for all the folks that can't or don't like using deet(like me) i have found a product that seems to be even better. It's called Permethrin. The difference is you don't spray it on yourself but on your clothes. You spray your clothes and let it dry and it says it lasts up to 8 weeks and through repeated washings. This is the same stuff that is on the pads of the therma-cell. I bought some and was kinda doubtful how it would work. Well it's been 6 weeks and we have been caching pretty heavy in wooded areas where we would normally have several ticks,chiggers and skeeter bites. We have not had a single tick,chigger or skeeter bite since,NOT ONE! This stuff really works,it not only repels but it also kills the little suckers. It is oderless when dried and not harmful to humans.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VCRX2S/ref=asc_df_B007VCRX2S2138777/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395021&creativeASIN=B007VCRX2S&linkCode=asn&hvpos=1o2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9851060771119351571&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

 

+1 for permethrin....exofficio makea a clothing line that is already treated in the fabric. lasts up to 70 washes.

 

I get very sick from even the smallest amount of deet, so i use the permethtin on my clothes. For skin i use a product called Herbal Armor which works wonders.

NYPaddleCacher

+NYPaddleCacher

Posted
Posted

Ok,for all the folks that can't or don't like using deet(like me) i have found a product that seems to be even better. It's called Permethrin. The difference is you don't spray it on yourself but on your clothes. You spray your clothes and let it dry and it says it lasts up to 8 weeks and through repeated washings. This is the same stuff that is on the pads of the therma-cell. I bought some and was kinda doubtful how it would work. Well it's been 6 weeks and we have been caching pretty heavy in wooded areas where we would normally have several ticks,chiggers and skeeter bites. We have not had a single tick,chigger or skeeter bite since,NOT ONE! This stuff really works,it not only repels but it also kills the little suckers. It is oderless when dried and not harmful to humans.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VCRX2S/ref=asc_df_B007VCRX2S2138777/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395021&creativeASIN=B007VCRX2S&linkCode=asn&hvpos=1o2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9851060771119351571&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

 

+1 for permethrin....exofficio makea a clothing line that is already treated in the fabric. lasts up to 70 washes.

 

I get very sick from even the smallest amount of deet, so i use the permethtin on my clothes. For skin i use a product called Herbal Armor which works wonders.

 

I've also used permethrin with good success. I just wish it wasn't so expensive.

JBnW

+JBnW

Posted
Posted

Another WNV death in Texas last night which brings the total to 17 for the entire state.

Scary. Are they spraying or doing anything like treating water supplies where they breed? I know spraying is frowned upon but that stuff gets in our food anyway. I'd want what ever could be done, done.

 

What appears to be the latest news out of Dallas, they're spraying Duet, a mixture of two synthetic pyrethroids.

BAMBOOZLE

+BAMBOOZLE

Posted
Posted

Another WNV death in Texas last night which brings the total to 17 for the entire state.

Why so high in Texas? Any thoughts on that? I presume this is not one of the regions of Texas that has been hit by the drought?

 

Dallas is in the drought area and it is the hardest hit with 9 deaths. Houston is not in the drought area, is infested with mosquitos, and only has one death.

 

There is a school of thought that a great deal of the folks in Houston harbor an immunity due to frequent exposure to WNV bearing mossies. I can't find anything official on that even though it sounds plausable. I was thinking along those lines when I discovered that others were thinking the same. It stands to reason that the 4th largest city in the U.S. should have more cases based on the CDC's 15%-20% statistic with 1 in 150 being serious to fatal. But we don't...

 

It would be interesting to test the local cachers to see who has WNV antibodies in their system. I'm seriously considering asking my company doctor to take a sample from me and have it tested. I'm a mosquito magnet.

 

BTW we did have one cacher contract WNV but it was awhile back from what I was told.

 

My sister is chief of Hematology/Oncology at Tulane and said she would guess that 90%++ natives of New Orleans ( other mosq. meccas as well)have have had WNV....symptoms would range from almost nothing to a mild cold except for a handful of severe / deadly cases. A few years ago my wife had a mystery illness ( CMV it turned out ) and was tested by an exotic disease specialist.....sure enough she already has had WNV.

In New Orleans in the old days they called yellow fever the outsiders disease as far more immigrants got it than locals....sort of the same thing.

I've seen a few more dead birds than usual around the house including crows.

knowschad

knowschad

Posted
Posted

Ok,for all the folks that can't or don't like using deet(like me) i have found a product that seems to be even better. It's called Permethrin. The difference is you don't spray it on yourself but on your clothes. You spray your clothes and let it dry and it says it lasts up to 8 weeks and through repeated washings. This is the same stuff that is on the pads of the therma-cell. I bought some and was kinda doubtful how it would work. Well it's been 6 weeks and we have been caching pretty heavy in wooded areas where we would normally have several ticks,chiggers and skeeter bites. We have not had a single tick,chigger or skeeter bite since,NOT ONE! This stuff really works,it not only repels but it also kills the little suckers. It is oderless when dried and not harmful to humans.

http://www.amazon.co...&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

 

+1 for permethrin....exofficio makea a clothing line that is already treated in the fabric. lasts up to 70 washes.

 

I get very sick from even the smallest amount of deet, so i use the permethtin on my clothes. For skin i use a product called Herbal Armor which works wonders.

 

I've also used permethrin with good success. I just wish it wasn't so expensive.

 

I treat my clothing with permethrin for ticks in the spring and early summer months, but I don't find the risk/reward ratio high enough to use it to keep nuisance mosquitos away. It is a nerve toxin, you know.

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