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No-Fly Zone
Spring 2005 has reminded us that controlling insect populations is an essential part of controlling insect-borne diseases. New cases of vesicular stomatitis (VS), a virus which can be transmitted to horses by flies, have been reported in southwestern states. Also, higher than average rainfall in most of California earlier this year has public health officials warning that a blitz of West Nile virus (WNV) cases could hit the Golden State this summer. WNV is "without a doubt" the greatest mosquito-borne threat California faces in 2005, according to Kelly Middleton, public information officer for the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District located in West Covina, Calif. "Throughout the United States, it's still a very significant issue." An encephalitis disease, WNV can cause severe and permanent neurological problems in both humans and horses, although horses have proven to be the more susceptible species. "There are other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes that, in some states, pop up annually as well--Eastern Equine encephalitis, Western Equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis virus for people," Middleton said. "These viruses are always out there, circulating, but West Nile is going to be a rather significant problem, especially on the West Coast." Mosquitoes flourish in wet conditions. Females lay hundreds of eggs in a single oviposition (a deposit of insect eggs) in any imaginable source of standing water. Because of the rainy spring months, Middleton said, "There are a lot more potential breeding sources out there now." Continue Reading [*PDF file, 1.37 MB download] *Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files. |
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