Combating The West Nile Virus.

Mosquitoes contract West Nile virus from infected birds. When they feast on blood, they can pump this potentially-fatal virus into a vein and can thus pass it to humans, horses and, in a few cases, dogs.

About 80 per cent of people won't show any symptoms or know they have contracted the disease. while the other 20 per cent show only mild symptoms, which include headaches, fever, vomiting and a rash on the stomach, back or chest. More severe symptoms include dizziness and disorientation. The severest form of the virus can cause encephalitis and meningitis, Less than one per cent of people, infected with the virus will suffer serious long-term neurological effects, or die.

Mosquitoes, as well as the virus, grow faster in warmer temperatures. With the onset of summer, Toronto has pulled up its socks to quash the potentially deadly effects of West Nile virus. The authorities have placed larvicides (The pesticide that prevents the mosquito from maturing to an adult) at breeding grounds for mosquito like stagnant water reservoirs.

By wearing long sleeves and pants and spraying their clothing with repellant that contains the chemical DEET or picaridin, individuals can protect themselves from mosquito bites. The repellants are important in the early morning and evening hours when mosquito activity is at its highest.

It makes lot of sense to take precautionary action since the virus has claimed 17 people in Canada from 2002 through 2005. Presently, there is no cure, no medications, no specific treatments and no human vaccine. Prevention is the best cure from this subtle virus, caused by the innocuous looking mosquito.