KIDS PAGE
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West Nile Virus and Rabies
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West Nile Virus, a
potentially deadly disease reached our shores almost ten years ago and
seems like it is here to stay. Similarly to rabies virus which was
also almost absent in Connecticut about 20 years ago, we have taken
steps in public health to reduce the risk from these diseases. With
rabies we have increased the use of rabies vaccinations and the Animal
Shelter helps organize an inexpensive rabies clinic every year
(937-3642). By making sure your animals are protected they can then act
as a buffer to keep any risk from wildlife to a minimum. Please be sure
to keep your animals up to date on their vaccinations and we also ask
that you do not leave food outdoors for your animals, strays or
wildlife, this is an invitation to danger! Although West Nile is not
nearly as deadly as rabies it is another virus that can cause human
harm, and that we do have good ways to prevent exposure. Since this
disease is carried by mosquitoes, especially those who like to breed in
standing waters around people’s homes, that is the first place to start.
If you have a pool that you no longer plan to use it would be best to
have it removed. If it is out of season it should remain fully covered
until you open it up and get it running with the proper chemicals and
filtration. Clogged gutters on your roof are another very likely place
for water to accumulate and in a week, thousands of mosquito eggs could
hatch put and infest your yard from just one foot or two of water
backing up in a gutter. Any standing water that remains for at
least a week, and that does not contain fish or frogs (they specialize
in eating mosquito larvae), can become a breeding site. We do spend a
substantial amount of tax dollars using a biological method of mosquito
control to reduce their population all over town. We use a bacterial
method, (much like a cat against a mouse), in all 3,500 storm drains in
town and in the most traveled areas near wetlands where mosquitoes
breed, and we do this several times over the summer season. Usually, no
one notices our work, and we never seem to “win the war” against these
pests, but we certainly reduce their numbers severely. Beyond this, we
have many educational pamphlets and can only recommend a proper response
if the mosquitoes are out: go inside, cover up with longs sleeves, or
get the repellent and follow the directions on the label! Of all the
people who have contracted West Nile encephalitis in Connecticut, all
loved spending time outdoors but none had used protection or a
repellent. |
