[Ansteorra] West Nile Virus

Robin Craig aceiatx at yahoo.com
Fri Jul 19 09:12:23 PDT 2002


Along the lines of medical threats we did not know were out there -

You guys know the black plague is still active in New Mexico and is being
spread into West Texas by squirrels and deer?
Although now we have medication for it, you need to medicate early or you can
have deteriation in your joints.

Also, there is a reason why Texas is a rabies quarantine state - because it is
still very active around here.

Ticks and Lyme disease - need I say more?

Anthrax can be aquired by handling raw wool, but it is rare and very treatable
in the early stages.

I just can't live in day to day fear of these things...Although I will try to
limit the flea population in my home, avoid wild animals behaving oddly and
wear mosquito repellant!

I think the key to remember is this - If you have a fever or an unusual
swelling or rash from any bug or animal bite - go see a doctor!!

-Robin



--- Susan <catmafia at swbell.net> wrote:
> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> The thought of everyone in duct tape armor is scary.  I have done some more
> reading and the bird site at
> http://www.abcbirds.org/pesticides/west_nile_position_statement.htm seems
> to have some of the least inflamitory and broad ranged information I have
> found.
>
> Here are two sections that put it into perspective:
> Experience with old-world West Nile Virus epidemics demonstrates that West
> Nile Virus poses similar, if not lesser, mortality risk to humans than the
> closely related, North America endemic, and bird-reservoired St. Louis
> Encephalitis virus. Control measures for West Nile should mirror preventive
> measures currently taken by public health and mosquito abatement officials
> for St. Louis Encephalitis virus.
> and
> St. Louis Encephalitis virus (SLE) is endemic to the Southern United States
> SLE is reservoired in birds asymptomatically, and is occasionally
> transmitted to humans. Both West Nile Virus and Saint Louis Encephalitis
> virus can cause encephalitis in humans, but Saint Louis has a higher
> mortality rate. Most infections in humans of both viruses occur without
> symptoms, and only a very small percentage of infected people develop
> encephalitis. Usually, older persons, who may be immunocompromised develop
> the encephalitis form of the disease. Approximately thirty people each year
> die from St. Louis Encephalitis, annually in the U.S.
>
> This made me realize that it wasn't as dangerous as a threat we have always
> had that I hadn't ever heard of.  It will be the first time my generation
> has seen the state by state progress of of the spread of a public health
> concern.  From all reports, the biggest ones needing to really institute
> changes are those with horses, as it is 40% fatal in those exposed to
> it.  They have a vacine that has just been released, it is 96% affective in
> it's trials.  The other major species affected will be crows and members of
> it's genus, although it has been found in over 100 species of bird at this
> time.
>
> As a public health measure, all are encouraged to do what they can to
> remove sources of stagnate water near their houses and report any dead
> birds they find.  As an SCA related topic, we will need to keep in mind the
> mosquito exposure at the sites we use for events, expecially the ones we
> hold equestrian activities at.  Hope this has relieved some of the
> concerns.  Finding up to date info on the virus is a challenge as most of
> the sites on it date from a year ago.
>
> Susan
>
> _______________________________________________
> Ansteorra mailing list
> Ansteorra at ansteorra.org
> http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/ansteorra


=====
Robin Craig

+++My name is NOT Glenda and I am NOT a good witch!

rcraig at mac.com (work)
aceia at mac.com (personal)
http://homepage.mac.com/aceia/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes
http://autos.yahoo.com



More information about the Ansteorra mailing list