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precautions to protect yourself from West Nile Virus (see the link below called
"How can you get mosquitoes to quit bugging you?) but remember that the risk of
human exposure is low. Even in the unlikely event that you are bitten by a
mosquito carrying West Nile, trends have shown that there is only a 1 percent
chance of developing any kind of symptom. We should keep this low risk in
perspective.
Those at risk for West Nile virus are over 70 but it may impact those ages above
50. However, many of these people could the same people who are risk for the
spraying of Anvil 2+2 or any other pesticide. Dr. Brian Rogers D. O., MPH,
City of Fort Worth Health Authority says,
“Spraying a mosquito population that is less than 1% infected with a rare virus
that infects humans 1% of the time, does not seem to validate the risks involved
with massive spraying. As the City Health Authority of Fort Worth, I am sure that
spraying will result in risks to citizens far in excess of 1%. Those with
respiratory disease will certainly have to change their lives or risk a flare-up
of their disease.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 8
deaths deaths from West Nile virus in Tennessee in 2002 and one death in 2003.
So, far this year 3 mild cases of West Nile virus have been reported in West
Tennessee. All of them have recovered. Comparing these numbers with other incidents
or conditions puts West Nile in perspective:
•15,999 deaths due to heart disease •12,141 deaths due to Malignant
Neoplasms •2,854 deaths due to Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease •1588
deaths due to diabetes •2b689 deaths due to accidents •1,624 deaths due to
influenza/pneumonia •718 due to Intentional self-harm (suicide) (Source: a
paper written by Ms. Kristy Gottfried, Medical Entomologist for TN Dept. of
Health, CEDS ÒRecommendations for Mosquito Control Programs in TennesseeÓ for the
County DirectorÕs Meeting West Nile Virus: Mosquito Control Issues, October 30,
2003.)
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