West Nile Virus, which animals are most affected, how many species of birds, how is it spread to humans, it's answered here.

"West Nile Virus seems to be something that is not going away. If anything, it is becoming a bigger problem."
U.C. Santa Cruz

Almost 300 species are susceptible to the disease, as well as humans.

Watching the wildlife on a river system is an interesting and educational endeavor. While being raised in the North my dad would tell me repeatably, "watch the wild animals, when you understand them you will understand people." Realizing there is a lot of truth in what he said, it has been a constant activity throughout my life. One of which I hope I will be able to pass on as part of my legacy to my grandkids, and their parents. Because of it being a real part of my life I gauge the life of the slough I live on by the activity of the animals that live here with us. Inspiring this article is the noticeable decline of the birds common to this river system. First was the drastic decline in the population of the Red Wing Blackbirds, there is an island covered with reeds 1/4 mile from our home in the center of the slough. Up until three years ago, that island was overpopulated with the little blackbirds, there were so many they caused "noise pollution". Being so loud even at this distance displayed a healthy population, it was growing. Then something happened, in one year the population declined from those estimated thousands to less than a dozen.

A similar decline happened with the Moorhens as well, commonly called "Coots", and "Mudhens".  They live in large flocks, rarely flying in formation they occupy the top of the water. Moving in a mass that replicates a small efficient army, or a professional dance routine. They would line up directly across the slough, line up in a formation and begin to move in my direction, I'm sure it was not for my benefit. Last year was the year they thinned out, this year I have seen one bird. The Coots like the blackbirds disappeared, practically overnight.

Other birds have suffered as well, but not as drastically as others have, however, noticeable reductions in the population of Crows, Ducks, and Blue Jays are evident. Approximately 300 species of birds are susceptible to West Nile Virus, there are too many to list.

(This Link will take you to a complete list compiled by the CDC.)

What is West Nile Virus? Of African origin, it is a flavivirus that is spread via mosquitoes which cause Encephalitis is a viral infection causing inflammation of the brain, and meningitis, inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

Which animals are susceptible to West Nile Virus? bats, dogs, horses, cats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic rabbits, alligators, and humans.

A rash attributed to West Nile Virus.

What are the symptoms? Birds do not display any symptoms until the last stage of the disease is realized, they often die within a few days. A bird suffering from the virus will appear "fluffed out", weak on their legs, they stay close to the ground, off balance, and falling over. After being bitten the virus will begin its work within 3-14 days. If death does occur it is normally within 3 weeks of first exposure by the mosquito, but amazingly most birds, other than Crows and Jays, that get the disease do not die. Some do die, if you should come across one that you suspect is a victim of West Nile Virus, it may be advisable to collect the body and take it to the proper entity for testing. Check with your State Health Department or State Wildlife agencies for directions pertaining to how to collect them, what to place them in and all pertinent information to deal with it. When the disease is widespread or large numbers of birds are affected many agencies will stop testing birds. In the event you are advised to dispose of the bird, do not handle the dead animal with your bare hands. Use a plastic bag turned inside out, vinyl gloves, or other hand covering, then place it in a ziplock bag. place the bag and the infected bird inside a regular covered trash can. Washing of the hands with warm water and soap must be exercised immediately after handling of the animal. Although there is no evidence a human can be infected by a bird or mammal, the only way is by an infected mosquito bite, it is prudent to take all precautions, just in case.

Other than birds one of the most threatened animals are Horses, they may develop encephalitis and display bouts of weakness, listlessness, feebleness, lack of coordination, paralysis, and sometimes death. Most horses never have a fever, they just basically look sick. Most other mammals display no symptoms, although humans sometimes do.

Horses are as vulnerable as birds when it comes to West Nile Virus.

1 in 150 infected people develops a severe central nervous system illness such as encephalitis, or meningitis. Severe illness may occur at any age of human, however people over 60, and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk. Recovery may take severy weeks, or months, some damage to the nervous system may be permanent. 1 of 10 who do develop a severe illness succumb to it. The symptoms about 1 in 5 humans may display after being infected include:

1) Fever                                                                 7) Sleepiness

2) A headache                                                       8) Confusion

3) Body aches                                                        9) Coma

4) Skin rash                                                           10) Tremors

5) Swollen lymph nodes                                        11) Convulsions

6) Stiff neck                                                            12) Paralysis

Most cases of human infection are mild, they are rarely reported, 8 of 10 infected humans never show any symptoms. The symptoms in humans are in many ways the same as a person suffering from influenza.
Children's symptoms are not as extensive, they include:

1) Fever                                                                 5) Tiredness

2) A headache                                                       6) Joint Pain

3) Neck and Back Stiffness                                    7) Swollen Glands

4) Muscle aches                                                     8) Rash

If the child had been bitten by a mosquito within the preceding 3-14 days, medical attention should be sought immediately. Tests are available for detection of the disease, no vaccines or anti-viral medications are available for West Nile Virus. Over the counter pain, relievers may be employed to reduce the fever and ease some symptoms. Hospitalization may be required for the more severe cases, life-supporting equipment may be put to use. Intravenous fluids, Pain medications, and in extreme cases nursing care.

Our dogs may contract the diseases as well, but as with other mammals, symptoms are not consistent among all members of the animals. Rarely displaying any noticeable alarming behavior or change in health, dogs do have the ability to "hide" their weaknesses instinctively. Most of the time an infected dog will experience a mild experience with the illness. if they do display symptoms they may include:

1) Fever                                                                 5) Spasms

2) Depression                                                        6) Seizures

3) Lack of coordination                                          7) Paralysis

4) Muscle weakness

If any of these symptoms are displayed, immediately take your dog to a Veterinarian. Symptoms will emerge within 3-14 days after being bitten by a virus-carrying mosquito.

The most effective preventative measure that can be taken is to eliminate mosquito bites, easier said than done.
* Use insect repellent, when used following directions EPA approved repellents are safe and effective.
* Use solutions that include DEET
* Picaridin is another successful repellent
* Oli of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol
* 2-undecanone

(Follow this Link to find the repellent that is suited for you, by using the EPA's search tool.)

Do not use repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
Always follow directions
Do not apply on the child's hands, eyes, mouth, or any skin that has a scrape, cut, or burn.
Do not spray repellent directly on a child's face, apply with an adult hand.
Do not use Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or Para-menthane-diol on a child younger than 3 years old.

Practice our well exercised preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Treatment of boots, pants, socks, tents, and sleeping bags with repellent is a must.

Use screens over windows and doors in the home, keep the holes repaired, mosquitos are able to fit through small holes.

Use air conditioning when possible, there are filters in the system that will not allow the flying pest in.

Sleep under a mosquito net when air conditioning, or screened in rooms are not available, be especially cautious when sleeping outside.

Do not walk through tall wet grass and weeds, that is the mosquitoes habitat, they are easily aroused being eager to latch on to a quick and easy meal.

Survey your yard and surrounding area for standing water inside, old tires, buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, flowerpots, and trash receptacles.

If there are ditches, or low areas in the vicinity report them to the vector control department run by your local City, County, or State Governments. Mosquitoes lay their eggs near the water.

A complete coverup may be in order, he is missing an important part of his protection,
Do you spot it?

Since 1999 44,000 cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in the United States, 20,000 of those infected have suffered encephalitis or meningitis. There have been more than 1900 deaths attributed to the outbreak, many cases are not reported and the cause of death is not recorded as being caused by West Nile Virus. One in 150 infections result in a serious medical condition, the mortality rate in that group is 3-15%. People older than 75 years are at a higher risk. People with existing medical conditions, Cancer, Heart Disease, and auto-immune system illnesses are at a higher risk as well. It's a tough disease, only 20% of those infected show any symptoms at all, 80% have no idea they have the illness, 1% end up with a serious infection. One year after suffering a bout of the illness the patients commonly claim residual effects of the disease. Fatigue, memory problems, weakness, headaches, joint pain, balance problems. Some reports of declined physical health and depression remain from battling the sickness. By comparison, 1 million people seek medical care due to pneumonia, with about 50,000 dying yearly, most of those victims are adults.

Is the disappearance of the Coots, Crows, Red Wing Blackbirds, and Ducks on our slough able to be blamed on the West Nile Virus? I feel as if the evidence is spotty and non-conclusive as worst, but there is a good possibility at least a portion of it is. Scientist in Northern Europe has been conducting studies of migratory birds, specifically those that migrate from Africa to the Northern Countries during the summer to raise their young. Part of the study has found migratory birds will avoid an area of a disease outbreak, many times returning after a few years, sometimes they don't return at all. A man I had a conversation with on this subject asked me if I thought maybe the birds have merely moved to another part of the river system. I don't have an answer for that, I do notice a decline in their numbers and that is my main concern.

I see one Coot on the slough, the Red Wing Blackbird population is booming, I have counted approximately 80-100 females in a flock. If each of those lays a clutch of 3 eggs and two survive, the population may be built back up in a few years. The ducks, geese, and Jays I'm not sure about, however, the durable and adaptable Crows seem to be on the upswing as well. There are almost 300 birds on the list of those susceptible to the virus, perhaps when it runs it's course all of the animals will have built up an immunity.

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jacquesandkate  EmergencyKitsPlus.com