West Nile Virus

2 Pages 429 Words

The West Nile Virus has been a scare for all living species becoming much more prominent over the past few years. In this article it discusses the foundation of the West Nile Virus within the United States. It also brings to point the prediction of wildlife researchers and scientist alike saying that it is going to continue to spread and cause death not only to thousands of animals, but to hundreds of people as well. The only states left in the U.S. to have no reported cases in horses, birds, mosquitoes, or humans; is Oregon, Hawaii, and Alaska. The Center for Disease Control released that since 2002, 284 people have died from the virus, and over 4,000 have been infected. By November of 2003 the numbers had gone way up, with an estimated 8,219 cases according to the CDC. However, the article does point out the slim chance that a person become infected with the virus, only 1% of mosquitoes are infected in most areas where the virus has turned up. Less than 1% develops severe symptoms the rest just experience flu-like symptoms. However, some are more likely to get infected if bitten than others and that would be children, ill, or elderly people. However, the article emphasizes the importance of all protecting themselves from mosquito bites.
I think that this article put in perspective the actual severity of the West Nile Virus. I think giving statistical information about how unlikely a person is to actually catch the virus helps ease minds about this really unknown phenomenon that has really develop the past 4 or 5 years. It does scare me a little to think of possibly dying due to a mosquito bite that sometimes can’t be prevented, but knowing now what the chances are I will get infected helps me feel better. I have thought and not really had any answers come to mind as to why those three states have not had any outbreaks. If we could find the key we would be able to find the answer to stop it everywhere. In the meantim...