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- Hello Jeff:
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- I have been wondering about how and why the japonicus
showed up in the center of West Nile territory at a time when West Nile
broke out? Sure is a coincidence.
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- It also keeps in with my thought that West Nile was released
by Col. Monath, former Ft. Detrick biowar researcher, for profit of West
Nile vaccine and his company.
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- Patty
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- The Culprit? - Mosquito Species That Carried
West Nile To US Have Been Found
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- Scientists are studying the Aedes japonicus, a mosquito
that came to the US from Japan. (ABCNEWS.com)
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- By Ned Potter link
8-24-00
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- NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - In a basement lab at Rutgers University,
they are studying the Aedes japonicus, the first new mosquito to appear
in the U.S in almost a generation.
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- To Jamie Scott, an entomologist at Rutgers, the new species
is a mystery. She cannot tell you how it got here from its native Asia,
how long it lives or even whether it prefers to bite humans or animals.
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- "There are a lot of unknowns when you get a new
species in a new area" she says.
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- But perhaps the biggest mystery about japonicus is one
of timing ,-- it appeared around the same time West Nile virus began to
make headlines. Experts say this is no coincidence.
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- "We felt that the chances of a new mosquito and
a new virus appearing in the same geographical area must be more than chance"
says Wayne Crans, who is also an entomologist at Rutgers.
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- Good at Spreading the Virus There are plenty of scientists
who disagree on that point, but in the meantime, the U.S. Army has found
something equally eye-opening. Lab tests at Fort Detrick in Maryland showed
Aedes japonicus was better than any other species at storing West Nile
in its body and injecting it into the bloodstream of any animal it bites.
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- "The laboratory studies indicate this is an extremely
efficient vector of the virus" says Michael Turell, a U.S. Army research
entomologist. "Therefore, it could potentially play a major role in
the real world."
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- But what role, exactly? Scientists think japonicus may
be helping to spread West Nile, at least among animals, even if it does
not bite people. They think it mostly bites birds, which may help spread
the virus to people. As a result, they say, the West Nile virus may be
here to stay in America. Already, japonicus has been spotted in a half-dozen
states.
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- "Whenever you get an insect that is transported
from one geographic area to the next, all the rules change" Crans
says.
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- The japonicus are very far from their old home in Asia,
and scientists must race to understand how they,Äôll behave
here. Reducing Your West Nile Risk From April to October, when mosquitoes
are most active, take the following precautions to help prevent contracting
the West Nile virus:
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- If outside during evening, nighttime and dawn hours when
mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, children and adults should
wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks.
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- When outside, consider the use of an insect repellant
containing 10 percent or less DEET (N, N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide)
for children and no more than 30 percent DEET for adults. DEET is effective
for approximately four hours. Avoid prolonged or excessive use of DEET.
Use sparingly to cover exposed skin and clothing.
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- (NOTE - Warnings against the use of DEET-containing products
- especially on children - have been issued by a number of people.)
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- Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense and bug zappers
have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.
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- Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Weeds, tall
grass and bushes provide an outdoor home for the adult Culex pipiens mosquito
(the common house mosquito) which is most commonly associated with West
Nile virus. Mosquitoes can enter homes through unscreened windows or doors,
or broken screens. Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting
screens. Repair or replace all screens in your home that have tears or
holes. Remove all discarded tires from your property. Dispose of tin cans,
plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
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- Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged
gutters in the spring and fall.
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- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and
hot tubs. If not in use, keep empty and covered.
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- Drain water from pool covers.
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- Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week.
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- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when
not in use.
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- Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.
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- Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites
on their properties.
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- -- New York City Department of Health
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- MainPage
http://www.rense.com
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