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Currently, the Zika Virus is getting a lot of attention and exposure in the media, and rightfully so. This mosquito-borne virus is new to us here in the United States and everyone wants to know the information regarding it. Even though no local cases of Zika have been discovered here in Tennessee, meaning that the virus originated with someone who had traveled outside the U.S., it is still something that everyone should be aware of and understand. For more information about the Zika virus as a whole and its presence here in Tennessee, check out this page on the Tennessee Department of Health’s website. Unfortunately, because so many of our media outlets are centered on Zika, we tend to forget about another virus that mosquitoes transmit that also has a definite presence here in the US, and that’s West Nile Virus.
The West Nile Virus is a virus that exists in nature and is mostly passed between mosquitoes and birds. When mosquitoes bite birds that are infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) they then spread it. The virus has been discovered not only in birds and humans but also in bats, dogs, horses, cats, chipmunks, skunks, domestic rabbits, squirrels, and alligators. While it may give these animals a few adverse effects, often the symptoms are insignificant and a healthy animal can recover quickly. For people, it’s a whole different story.
According to the Tennessee Department of Health,
“Approximately 20 percent of the people that are infected may experience a range of flu-like symptoms which may include fever, headache, weakness, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and pains, rash and in some cases diarrhea and sore throat. Less than 1 percent of people that are infected with WNV by the bite of an infected mosquito will develop severe illness. Persons over 50 years of age are at highest risk of developing the most severe form of the disease and persons over the age of 70 with other health problems are at greatest risk for death.”
Basically, out of the many people that are infected with the West Nile Virus, only 20% will experience any symptoms of it. Even though this may not seem like a lot, it’s still 20%. Let’s look at it this way; you get excited when you hear that your favorite store is having a 20% off sale because that seems like such a great deal! Since 2002, here in Tennessee, the numbers of annual positive results for West Nile Virus in humans has ranged from 4 to 56, but remember these are only the cases that were reported.
Now that West Nile Virus is not something that we want to play around with, the next obvious question is how do we keep mosquitoes from biting us and breeding around us? Check out this short video with some great tips on how to help reduce mosquitoes around your yard. If these prevention tips aren't enough, teaming up with the professionals here at All-American Pest Control to lower the mosquito population on your Tennessee property is the best and most comprehensive answer. We have been serving our neighbors for many years and fighting mosquitoes and other pests; it's what we do. We desire to protect our families, neighbors, and communities from mosquito-borne diseases as well as all the other issues that pests can bring. If you’re ready to do what many of your friends and neighbors do, which is start living your life without dangerous and nuisance pests like mosquitoes, contact us today to schedule your free evaluation. Come on, it’s free, what have you got to lose?