Tag Archives: nile

Idaho, U.S.

West Nile Virus: Larvae swarm after Idaho rain storm! Standing water claim a myth?

16 July 2013 (13:47 UTC-07 Tango)/08 Ramadan 1434/25 Tir 1391/09 Ji-Wie (6th month) 4711

On 15 July parts of eastern Idaho got hit with summer rain storms.   Not unusual, but what was unusual for me is that the next day I found one of my rain barrels swarming with Mosquito larvae.   This was the first time.   My research revealed that the publicly accepted idea that mosquitoes ‘breed’ in standing water is not necessarily true, especially for the West Nile Virus carrying Aedes genus.

Thousands of Aedes larvae in a 30+ gallon rain barrel, less than one day after an Idaho rain storm.

Thousands of mosquito larvae (pupa?) in a 30+ gallon rain barrel, less than one day after an Idaho rain storm.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare states “Remove standing water around your home – this is where mosquitoes like to breed”.  It turns out that it depends on the genus of the bloodsucker.  Most will lay eggs on the surface of water, like the Culex mosquito, which is present in Idaho and carries West Nile and encephalitis.

Some mosquitoes lay their eggs on the underside of leaves.

Most species of Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in damp dirt, or near a pond’s edge, not directly in the water.  Aedes also carry West Nile and versions of encephalitis.

I was interested to know why one of my rain barrels were swarming with larvae (possibly pupa?), less than one day after a rain storm, yet none of the drinking water buckets and pans for the dogs and cats were infected, even though they’ve been sitting for a few days.  The animal’s water buckets were filled with city water, which is treated with chlorine and contains fluoride.  That could be one reason, but I was concerned because this was the first time I’ve found any of my rain barrels swarming with mosquitoes.

It was also concerning to find the larvae swarm as I’ve seen only one adult mosquito (and been bitten twice) so far this year.

That particular rain barrel had a layer of damp dirt in the bottom, after a previous rain storm washed collected dust and dirt from the roof and rain gutter.  Where I live people will tell you that it rains dirt here (it’s one reason why the car wash business does well here, and the car dealers really hate it when it rains).  So, I suspect an Aedes mosquito laid eggs in the damp dirt at the bottom of the barrel, then the 15 July rainstorms flooded the barrel, hatching the eggs.

Not to worry, the water in my rain barrels are used ASAP after rain storms to water my pathetic vegetable garden, and my fruit trees (and now I rinse out the dirt).  I also learned that Aedes eggs can hatch independently; if there is not enough water to hatch all of them some will enter a state of suspended animation until more water comes along.

What this means is that the claim that removing standing water to fight West Nile Virus depends on which vampire mosquito your fighting.  The Aedes will lay eggs even if there is no standing water, they just need damp dirt.   The eggs will lay in wait until a sudden large amount of water, like from a rain storm or a pond/lake/river overflowing its banks, will hatch the eggs.  So, it would help to keep the area around your home clean and dry.

In western Idaho, West Nile Virus has been detected in Ada, Canyon and Payette  counties.  State health officials on that side of the Gem State report that they trapped Culex mosquitoes, and they tested positive for the virus.  Officials are blaming the hot summer temps.

U.S.

U.S. West Nile virus update, 30 December 2012: Resurgence & warning for 2013? Blood donors with no symptoms are carriers! Virus also killing off game birds! Record high average temps being blamed! New version already detected!

“People should be concerned because we found so much more of the virus this year.”-Karen Tobin, Erie County West Nile virus coordinator

Health officials in Erie County, Pennsylvania, are warning that 2013 could be another big year for West Nile virus.

Erie County did not have as many human cases of the virus, as the rest of the Keystone State, but they had a relatively higher percentage of infected mosquitoes: “We didn’t trap as many mosquitoes as we usually do, but a high percentage of the ones we caught had West Nile.”-Jeff Bresslin, Erie County Department of Health

Officials blame it on the weather: “The mild winter enabled many of the mosquitoes to survive through spring.”-Karen Tobin, Erie County West Nile virus coordinator

In South Carolina, officials are also blaming the weather, saying 2012 was a record year for average daily high temperatures. For 2012 the city of Columbia had an average daily high of 67 degrees Fahrenheit (19.4 Celsius).  Normally The Capital of Southern Hospitality, in the Palmetto State, is around 66 degrees for the average.  The National Weather Service has been keeping temp records there since 1887.

Despite stating that they won’t make another West Nile report until Spring 2013, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is already predicting 2012 to be a banner year, but they don’t know why:  “It is not clear why we are seeing more activity than in recent years.”-Marc Fischer, CDC

One CDC official said each state could have its own reasons for West Nile outbreaks: “….the ecology in the United States is extremely varied, so a factor that may affect an outbreak in Colorado may be different than a factor that causes an outbreak in Louisiana. The conditions in an urban area may be different than a suburban area.”-Lyle Peterson, CDC

PLOS Biology reported yet another study that blames lack of bio-diversity for causing all the outbreaks of tropical diseases: “The general logic is that the more organisms you have out there, the more things there are that can interrupt the life cycle of disease, and the less concentration you’ll have of any vector.”-Matthew Bonds, Harvard Medical School, from interview with National Public Radio (NPR)

CDC officials are predicting that by the time the numbers are crunched 2012 will have the most human cases since the Gregorian year of 2004.  More than 80% of cases took place in Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi.

In Texas, health officials are hesitant to say the West Nile season is over, they blame the weather: “We’re telling people if you’re going to be outside and the weather is 55 degrees or higher, you should think about using a mosquito repellent. I don’t want to be blamed if someone gets infected after we announce the end of the season and they stop taking precautions.”-Wendy Chung, Dallas County Health and Human Services

Texas are still getting infected with West Nile, even though it’s Winter.  Health officials say a big concern is blood donors:   “….we also started seeing infections among blood donors who had no symptoms. That’s when we started getting worried.”-Wendy Chung, Dallas County Health and Human Services

In Nevada, a Las Vegas woman was diagnosed with West Nile in December.  Her infection is not considered serious.  The Southern Nevada Health District says that despite cooler weather they are still finding infected mosquitoes.

A California woman has died since the beginning of December. She’s the first West Nile death for Orange County.  During the week of xmas, health officials reported six new human cases, for a total of 459.

A college basketball player in Gibson County, Indiana, reports that even when you get over West Nile infection, the symptoms never seem to go away:  “….I still get headaches. If I stand up fast, I get dizzy. The doctors said this could go on for six months, or it could end tomorrow. I never know if I’ll have a good day or a bad day. Three or four days a week are bad days. I always have a constant headache, but I’ve learned to live with that and with the bad days.”-Rachel Sensmeier

The virus isn’t going after just horses and humans, it’s also killing off birds.  So many Sage Grouse have been killed off in North Dakota that Montana is considering sending some of their own grouse to help the Peace Garden State.  40 female Sage Grouse are going to be sent from Montana to North Dakota by 2014/15.  Since 2007 North Dakota’s Sage Grouse population has been cut in half by West Nile virus. Officials are concerned the birds have reached a point where normal reproduction trends will not allow the birds to recover: “One of the thoughts is that with the population as low as it is, we may be experiencing a genetic bottleneck where bringing in new genes from Montana may help.”-Aaron Robinson, North Dakota Department of Game and Fish

However, Montana officials think the 2014/15 date is too late: “We’re supportive of helping North Dakota out, but it might be one of those things where the timing is off.”-Rick Northrup, former Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

How much does it cost to transplant Sage Grouse?  About $4,000 USD per bird!  A similar attempt was tried with sending Montana birds to Canada, and it was considered a failure. Only one of the 40 had chicks.

And staying on the subject of birds, officials with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, say they’ve had a record year for treating sick animals, especially crows.  Some encouraging news; they say they might be seeing a new weaker version of West Nile: “In previous cases, once an animal was infected with West Nile, it was almost 100% mortality. There’s a new strain, though, that there’s a belief that maybe the mortality rate is lower and that there are certain things we can do. Most of the time the treatment is rest and feeding, just like humans need when they have flu.”-Phil Jenni, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

U.S.

U.S. West Nile virus update, 15 December 2012: CDC ends reports, Oklahoma declares it’s over, yet new cases (and deaths) still popping up! Woman glad she has West Nile, blame incompetent doctors! No more bees?

“This will be the last update for 2012 until final data are available in the spring of 2013.    As of December 11, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 5,387 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 243 deaths…..”-U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

14 December,  California Department of Public health reporting eight new human cases in the past week, for a total of 453.  Two new sentinel chicken cases, for a total of 540.  One new positive mosquito sample, for a total of 2,489.

In Texas, a 12 years old boy has been in a coma since 13 November. His family was recently told he could be paralyzed, caused by swelling on his spine.  The Department of State Health Services reports 1,807 human case, up 44 from the end of November.  Dallas area beekeepers are complaining that the anti-mosquito spraying is killing off what little is left of their honey bees.  A Doctor in pest control explained that the spraying took place at the wrong time in the mosquitoes’ life cycle, and had little effect, but did much damage to honey bees.  He says local government officials were tricked by the pesticide industry: “They got sold a bunch of snake oil.”-Gene Helmick-Richardson

As of 11 December, Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 164 non-fatal human cases, and 13 deaths.  It’s a record number of West Nile virus cases for the Panhandle State. Interestingly, state officials declared the West Nile epidemic over on 30 November.

Well it’s not over for Louisiana! On 30 November, 11 new human cases, with one death, were reported.  So far this year the Pelican state has 382 cases, with 17 deaths.

In Florida, the number of human cases continues to increase. Between 27 November and 03 December, local media reported at least two new cases in the Sunshine state.

In South Dakota, a woman recently expressed happiness that she has West Nile, because months ago incompetent doctors had misdiagnosed her symptoms as leukemia:  “What first ran through my mind was: ‘Are you kidding me? I come in here with a sore back and swollen glands and now you’re telling me I got leukemia?’ “-Toni Reber

U.S.

U.S. West Nile Virus update, 03 November 2012: Climate change favors the Vectors! Idaho ground zero for NorthWest? More victims don’t remember being bit by mosquitoes, evidence that it can be passed from human to human? Horse cases 372% increase! California chickens in the coal mine cases continue to go up! WNV tests not accurate!

“As of October 30, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 4,891 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 223 deaths, have been reported to CDC.”-U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

You can increase the CDC’s West Nile death toll, because the week following the CDC’s latest report Louisiana reported one more human death, along with 13 new cases (two with the potentially fatal neuroinvasive version).  The southern state now has 338 official human cases.

Louisiana health officials said one of those recently infected has no symptoms.  Officials are pointing out that just because you have no symptoms doesn’t mean you’re not infected.  Detection is made only during health exams or when the infected person donates blood.

Oklahoma now reports at least 176 cases, 12 deaths. One 36 years old man has been in the hospital fighting West Nile for three months.  He said his only symptom, prior to going into the hospital, was a stomach ache.  Veterinarians reporting 39 horse cases, a huge increase.  Back in August there were only two horse cases.

On 31 October, it was reported that Maine has its first human case of West Nile virus.  Health officials say the person recovered.

Pennsylvania reporting two more cases. County health officials blame climate change: “It was mostly due to the weather. The warm, dry conditions were perfect for the culex mosquitoes that carry the virus.”-Karen Tobin, Erie County West Nile virus coordinator

As of 30 October, Alabama reporting 41 cases. That’s based on data from U.S. Department of the Interior/U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The problem is that the USGS West Nile virus map is inaccurate.  Here’s an example why: At the end of August Montana reported three new cases in Yellowstone County. Yet, the USGS map, as of 30 October, still does not show those three cases.  It only shows cases in Chouteau, Custer, Prairie and Richland counties!

At the end of October, an Emmett, Idaho, man was hospitalized with the neuroinvasive type of West Nile. That makes 16 human cases for the gem state.

Idaho seems to be in the middle of the northwest West Nile outbreak.  Here’s what the surrounding states are reporting:  Montana has at least eight cases. Wyoming reporting at least seven cases.  Utah reports at least five cases (as of 17 October). Nevada reports seven cases.   Oregon three cases, the latest case got infected in Idaho.  Washington four cases, two from out of state (they didn’t say where). 

Officials in Oregon remind everyone that mosquitoes can survive in cooler weather: “Our climate here in Eugene is very mild, so we have mosquitoes seven, eight months out of the year. That season is almost over, but not completely over.”-Patrick Luedtke, Lane County Public Health

Health officials in Nevada also reporting increased number of infected mosquitoes.  However, the latest West Nile survivor says climate conditions are not right for mosquitoes, and he never saw any: “I don’t remember seeing water in that wash hardly at all. I’m from the South, so I’m used to mosquitoes, and that’s one of the reasons why we like it here because there’s not a lot of bugs and stuff.”-Leslie Petrasich, Las Vegas resident for past six years

There are many other victims who’ve reported not seeing any mosquitoes, or not remembering if they were bit.

As of 02 November, California reports 38 new human cases. The golden state has 377 human cases, so far 15 people have died. Health officials also report 21 horse cases.  11 dead birds were positive for the virus, bringing the total to 1,614 dead birds with West Nile.  Chickens used to test for disease (called sentinel chickens) are continuing to show West Nile is not finished.  15 new cases showed up in sentinel chickens, for a total of 507 cases.  Two new cases of infected squirrels, for a total of 21 squirrel cases.  Mosquito testing shows no end in sight for West Nile; 22 new positives, for a total of 2,814 positives.

In Grand Junction, Colorado, voters will be deciding if they want to pay an extra tax to fight West Nile virus.  It’s called measure 5B and it directly affects property taxes: “For every $100,000 of property that’s assessed, their taxes will raise $12.04. This is a never ending tax.”-Sandra Parker, opposed to new tax

As of 29 October, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports 129 human case and three deaths.

Texas, the state with the most cases, reporting 1,683 human cases (77 deaths).  Recently, some West Nile victims asked local health officials why they didn’t start mass spraying against mosquitoes sooner.   It was revealed that the CDC recommended spraying back in July, but local officials didn’t start spraying until almost a month later.  In Texas, a county judge must authorize such an operation. The judge for Dallas County says local health officials said nothing to him about aerial spraying until 06 August.

Texas also has at least 72 horse cases.

As of 10 October, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reports 400 horse cases across the country. That’s a 372% increase over last year!  Only seven states seem to be unaffected by equine West Nile virus.

On 02 November, a South Dakota news source published an interview with a researcher who said the West Nile epidemic is all about climate change: “We look at accumulated temperature and moisture conditions.  Temperature affects the rate at which the virus amplifies in bird populations.  When the mosquito bites the bird and acquires the virus, it goes into the mosquito’s stomach.  There’s a time lag before that mosquito is infected and can retransmit.  So when we get an early spring, transmission starts early.  Warmer than normal temperatures reduce this extrinsic incubation period in the mosquito.  Then there are more cycles that occur in mosquito and bird populations, more opportunity for the infection rates to build up to higher levels before summer and the disease spills over into the human population.  And of course you need water, you need rainfall, or, more specifically, you need puddles, water on the ground for mosquitoes to breed in.  But the moisture link is tricky because different types of mosquitoes breed in different types of water bodies. [example] Culex tarsalis is not a floodwater mosquito, so it doesn’t necessarily bloom in population after a huge rain.”-Mike Wimberly, South Dakota State University

In Nebraska, a retired professor reported that overall mosquito counts there were actually down from prior years. He says what is happening is the climate change is killing off many mosquitoes, except for the ones that carry West Nile.  It seems climate change is favoring the virus carriers, vectors are on the increase: “There were more positive mosquitoes even though we’ve had fewer mosquitoes than the previous two years…..The mosquitoes that were here were the bad ones.”-Randy Lawson, mosquito hunter

One of the major problems in detecting West Nile cases is that current tests can confuse other diseases, such as St. Louis encephalitis and dengue fever, because they are so similar.  An Arizona professor says he has the answer; plants: “Our test will improve the accuracy of diagnosis, leading to the proper treatment of patients affected by WNV.  The plant derived monoclonal antibody we examined is not only low cost, but highly specific for WNV antigen and does not recognize antigens from other flaviviruses.”-Qiang “Shawn” Chen, Arizona State University

Idaho, U.S.

U.S. West Nile Virus update, 01 October 2012: Now being called a ‘disaster’! Humans, horses and now chickens! Medical media calls outbreak over, then suddenly 400 new cases! No insurance, no treatment?

“To judge from past reporting trends, these figures suggest that this year’s West Nile virus outbreak will be among the largest ever recorded!”-Lyle Petersen, CDC

“…disturbingly unpredictable, disagreeable, and difficult to control.”-CDC statement

“At first they said West Nile would remain concentrated along the Eastern Seaboard. Then, as it moved westward, they said it wouldn’t spread beyond the Midwest. In 2006, seven years after the virus was detected in New York, it infected several residents here in Washington. Now it’s been reported in every state except Hawaii and Alaska.”-Terry McElwain, Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

In the last week of September 2012, 400 new cases of West Nile virus were reported throughout the United States.

At least 3,545 cases in 48 states, with 147 deaths, and that’s what the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting.  What the CDC reports is at least a week behind what’s happening on the ground.

Incredibly, during the middle of September, some medical media sources reported that the West Nile virus outbreak had peaked out, and was on the decline!

70% of cases are in Texas, South Dakota and Mississippi.

Mississippi: 197 human cases, five deaths: “We are in the middle of the worst epidemic of West Nile virus infection in the state of Mississippi ever and one of the worst in terms of the United States!”-Art Leis, Methodist Rehab Center

Ohio: Clark County Combined Health District confirmed an elderly man died from West Nile virus.  Computer problems prevented the release of details. Ohio Department of Health reports 93 human cases, so far.

Texas: Morris County reports first case of West Nile in horses: “The horse exhibited ataxis, which is lack of muscle coordination, fever, and depression.”-Dennis Seymore, veterinarian

So far this year there have been 39 cases of equine West Nile virus in Texas.   “It should also be noted that vaccination for West Nile Virus does not protect a horse from other mosquito-borne diseases such as Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis.”-Dennis Seymore, veterinarian

A Texas woman is suffering doubly, not only has West Nile left her partially paralyzed, but she has no way to pay for medical care.  The Fort Worth hospital she is in is trying to send her away. She needs 24 hour care, but hospital staff say it ain’t gonna happen without money: “Ideally, we’re usually able to get them transferred to a rehab facility or somewhere they can have impatient care. However, due to her limited funding status, we have to plan for her to go home.”-Melody Argueta, Huguley Memorial Medical Center

Louisiana: 29 more human cases reported.  So far 280 people infected, 11 deaths.

Iowa: Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Public Health report large number of horses infected.  More than 20, last year there was only one equine case.

Oklahoma: Nine people have died from West Nile so far. 154 human cases.

California: Reporting 182 human cases, 10 deaths. Health officials warning to stay away from dead birds.  So far 1,273 dead birds, in California, have tested positive for West Nile.  Rodents, like squirrels, also testing positive.

Florida: Alachua County Health Department discovered West Nile virus in several chicken flocks, and one horse.  More than 40 human cases statewide.

Massachusetts: “The Massachusetts Department of Public Health risk assessment level has been raised from ‘Moderate’ to ‘High’ in the towns of Stoneham and Winchester in efforts to raise awareness regarding this arbovirus in the closing weeks of the warm season.”

New York:  An elderly man from New York was diagnosed with West Nile while visiting friends in Canada. He is in critical condition.

Idaho: 11 human cases, at least five equine cases.

Illinois: DuPage County Health Department reports fourth human death.  138 human cases statewide.

Michigan: Department of Community Health reports two more human deaths, 170 cases.

New Jersey:   At least 22 human cases, one death.

Virginia:   First equine case, the horse had to be killed.

Georgia: Two new human cases, one fatal, in Gwinnett County.  At least 43 cases statewide.

Maryland:  30 human cases.

Tennessee: At least 21 human cases. Rap singer, Brabo Gator, fell into a coma after being infected. Doctors say he will probably never sing again because of damage to his lungs.

Rhode Island: Reporting third human case.

Wisconsin: Two confirmed human cases, 23 possible.

Colorado: Three human deaths, 92 cases.