Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2001 12:14:36 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Abbie Banks Subject: Re: West Nile in Delaware MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit For some reason I could not open the link. A friend sent me the article and I am copying and pasteing it here for those who might have trouble getting on the site. West Nile virus detected in Little Creek The disease-bearing mosquitoes are the first found in Delaware By MOLLY MURRAY Sussex Bureau reporter 06/30/2001 A sample of mosquitoes collected earlier this week in Little Creek, just east of Dover, tested positive for the West Nile virus -- the first mosquitoes carrying the virus found in Delaware. The discovery, announced Friday, prompted state health officials to recommend precautions to protect against mosquito bites, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors, using insect repellents that contain 10 percent to 30 percent DEET and avoiding mosquito-infested areas. "These precautions, along with avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk, are the best strategies for preventing exposure," said Dr. Ulder J. Tillman, director of the state Division of Public Health. State officials sprayed insecticides June 14 and 18 in Little Creek, Leipsic and east Dover because of nuisance complaints about mosquitoes, said William Meredith, state mosquito control administrator. Additional mosquito samples will be tested in the area over the next several days, and spraying will continue as needed. Meredith said his agency and the state Department of Agriculture are working to control mosquitoes and protect a commercial beekeeping operation in the area. The aerial spray that is used to kill adult mosquitoes can kill honeybees. In addition, state officials are working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to coordinate spraying there. Of particular concern is 2,000 acres between Little Creek and Leipsic, where a large population of adult mosquitoes lives. About 450 acres are in Bombay Hook, and spraying is allowed only when an incoming tide is flooding the marsh. The restrictions sometimes make it hard to spray the area, Meredith said. "It's created a little mosquito refuge," he said. Terry Villanueva, the refuge manager, said she and other federal officials are trying to work with the state. "We really strive to strike a balance," she said. "Part of our concern is the non-target" species because the insecticides don't just kill mosquitoes. A national policy on mosquito control on federal refuges is in the works, said Michael Higgins, an entomologist and mosquito coordinator with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Delaware's first positive sample came from a group of Aedes mosquitoes. The species has not been determined, but two types of Aedes are common in Delaware -- the salt marsh mosquito and the freshwater mosquito that breeds in standing water. The finding is troubling because both species will travel 15 to 20 miles for a blood meal and will feed on mammals and birds. No human cases have been reported in the state. The West Nile virus has never been found in salt marsh mosquitoes, Meredith said. West Nile was found in Delaware last year in four horses and a great-horned owl. Two of the horses recovered. A T A G L A N C E What: West Nile is an encephalitis virus that causes inflammation of the brain. It originally was found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East, but in 1999 was detected in New York. Disease carriers: The virus is spread by the bite of a mosquito that is infected with the virus. The disease is typically spread when mosquitoes feed on infected birds. Humans and animals are susceptible. The incubation period is usually five to 15 days. Symptoms: Mild infections include a fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Severe infections can include a high fever, stiff neck, stupor, coma, tremors, paralysis and death. Protect yourself: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants; use insect repellent that contains 10 percent to 30 percent DEET; limit outdoor activities at dawn, dusk and early evening; repair holes in window screens; eliminate standing water by getting rid of tires, flowerpots, pet dishes, puddles and birdbaths; keep swimming pools aerated; and consider buying mosquito- eating fish for outdoor ponds. Abbie dovekie7@aol.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================