Mosquitos may carry West Nile Virus

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — They are out there, and you must be extra careful between dusk and dawn.

No, not vampires; they're just a pain in the neck. But potentially even more deadly are those pesky mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus, which has been noted among the mosquito population in Arizona since 2003. It is highly probably that the state will continue to see human cases of this viral infection each season. That is typical after introduction of the West Nile Virus into a region.

West Nile is a mosquito borne virus that is present from May through October during peak mosquito season. The virus causes no illness (80 percent) to mild to moderate illness (20 percent) in the vast majority of humans who are infected. A very small number of infected humans less than 1 percent may develop a severe or life threatening illness.

In 2006 there were 150 severe human cases, including 11 fatalities reported in Arizona.

There is no treatment for this illness except supportive care. Infection can be prevented by eliminating mosquito-breeding sites and/or preventing mosquito bites.

The best prevention is to eliminate standing water, which is used as breeding sites by mosquitoes. Other methods of preventing infection are to make sure window screens, door screens and door sweeps are in good repair; use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus and wear long sleeves and pants.

Repellent use and skin-covering clothing are especially important between dusk and dawn when the main type of West Nile Virus-carrying mosquito in Arizona bites.

The following Web sites are sources of good information regarding West Nile:

• www.pimahealth.org/disease/westnile.html
• www.hs.state.az.us/phs/oids/westnile
• www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile
• risk.arizona.edu/healthandsafety/
  westnilemosquitoes.shtml

As for vampires, you're on your own; though wearing garlic can help. Or so it's said. But whether they're vampires or virus-carrying mosquitoes, a lot is at stake - so wear protection.

(John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com or by calling 505-371-5443.)