| The West Nile Virus has continued to spread across | | | | can become ill with the West Nile fever, The chances |
| the continent, and by the end of 2005 it has been | | | | that any person is going to become ill from a single |
| found and detected in 48 U.S. states, the Canadian | | | | mosquito bite remains low but is possible. |
| provinces and the District of Columbia, Saskatchewan, | | | | The symptoms of the West Nile Fever are body |
| and Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, New | | | | aches, vomiting, severe muscle weakness, or paralysis, |
| Brunswick and Quebec. | | | | swollen glands, headache, fever and or their flu-like |
| By the end of 2003, West Nile Virus activity had been | | | | symptoms you could also experience body rashes |
| identified and the West Nile Virus epidemic resulted in | | | | mostly on the stomach, chest and back and many |
| reports of 4,300 reported human cases of West Nile | | | | victims do experience disorientation that lasts for long |
| disease including 3290 meningoencephalitis cases and | | | | periods of time. |
| 298 deaths. | | | | When are the risks of being bitten the highest? Many |
| The West Nile Virus is a mosquito borne infection that | | | | species of mosquitoes are thriving In the hours from |
| can cause meningitis swelling of the tissue that | | | | dusk to dawn and this heightens your risk of being |
| encloses the spinal cord and brain and or encephalitis | | | | bitten you should try to avoid outdoor activities during |
| inflammation of brain tissues. The West Nile virus was | | | | these times. You should wear protective clothing during |
| first detected in North America in the summer of 1999. | | | | evening and early morning hours and also use a good |
| What is even more disturbing is that 69% of the | | | | mosquito repellent. |
| persons that know and have heard of the virus do not | | | | Mosquitoes nest there young around and in standing |
| take any steps in protecting themselves from | | | | water, if you have ponds or pools keeping them |
| becoming infected by the virus. When dealing with | | | | treated with the proper chemicals will keep the nest |
| West Nile virus, prevention is the key factor in | | | | hunting mosquitoes away, if not in use keep them dry |
| protecting yourself from becoming infected. Being pro | | | | and or covered. Keep screens on windows and doors |
| active in fighting mosquito bites reduces your risk of | | | | in good repair or install new screens where needed. |
| getting this disease, along with others diseases that | | | | Also keep your rain gutters clean so the rains water |
| mosquitoes can carry. | | | | can flow and not be trapped, keep and thing that can |
| To avoid getting the West Nile virus you really just | | | | catch water dry. Keep weeds pulled and grass cut |
| need to remember a few common sense things that | | | | and gardens treated for bugs and pests. Take extra |
| must be done on your part to reduce your risk of | | | | precautions while camping, fishing, boating and hiking, |
| being bitten. Here are some things you need to | | | | there are higher amount of mosquito in wooded areas |
| remember! You will need to keep the mosquitoes from | | | | and around lakes and streams. Citronella oils, candles |
| the places where you live, work and play and | | | | and torches are of great use for out door gatherings |
| remember it takes efforts from everyone to control | | | | and bug zappers are a very effective option. By |
| the diseases that can be caused from these pesky | | | | follow these few simple rules the West Nile Virus can |
| critters. | | | | be controlled and keep you and your family safe from |
| The risk of severe illness and death is highest for | | | | the mosquitoes that Carrie the West Nile Virus. |
| people over 50 years old, although people of all ages | | | | |
