ProMEDMOSQUITOES, POST HURRICANE - USA (05)Thu Sep 15, 2005 22:2264.140.159.231
MOSQUITOES, POST HURRICANE - USA (05)
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Date: 15 Sep 2005
From: David Gaines David.Gaines@vdh.virginia.gov
I would like to respond to the posting titled "MOSQUITOES, POST
HURRICANE - USA (03)". In my opinion it needed some clarification
regarding birds as "reservoirs" of WNV, and I would like to add some
thoughts about possible hurricane effects on the WNV transmission
cycle.
Could a hurricane break the WNV transmission cycle?
It is very likely that Hurricane Katrina wiped out most of the
infected adult mosquitoes within the most heavily impacted areas.
Larval mosquitoes that get flushed into large bodies of deep water
become food for assorted predators or die from the increased water
salinity. The adult mosquitoes of the Culex species that are most
often associated with the amplification and transmission of West Nile
virus (WNV) typically shelter in low, enclosed areas (e.g., storm
sewers, crawl spaces, sheds, hollow logs, culverts, etc.), and they
would likely be drowned by the flood waters that came with the storm.
It is infected adult mosquitoes (not birds) that are actually the
local reservoirs of WNV, because these mosquitoes remain infected
until the end of their lives. Thus, if these older adult mosquitoes
are the local source of WNV infection, and they are mostly wiped out
by the storm, the local transmission cycle would be broken.
The birds that serve as temporary reservoirs of WNV actually include
many members of the order Passeriformes, not just crows. Furthermore,
birds are not really thought to be reservoirs of the virus; they are
amplifying hosts. When birds are infected with WNV, they remain
infected during a small window (approximately 4-5 days) during which
individuals of some species either remain healthy or become sick or
die. During that window of time, the infected birds may have
sufficient viremia to infect mosquitoes. However, by the end of that
period, the bird's immune system has either eliminated the virus from
the bloodstream, or the birds have died from the virus. In either
case, they would no longer be infectious to mosquitoes.
If the hurricane kills most of the local Culex mosquito population,
it may take time for new Culex to recolonize the area. By that time,
local birds would no longer be infectious to mosquitoes. Therefore,
it seems unlikely that there would be much WNV circulating in
mosquitoes in the hardest-hit areas of the Gulf Coast during the
weeks following the hurricane.
--
David N. Gaines, Ph.D.
Public Health Entomologist
Virginia Department of Health - Office of Epidemiology
Richmond, VA
David.Gaines@vdh.virginia.gov
[I agree that adult _Culex_ mosquitoes such as the _Culex pipiens_
complex that can be vectors of West Nile virus often shelter in many
types of man-made constructions, including cellars, but I am not
convinced flooding would cause their death by drowning. I would
imagine that many would have flown away before their resting sites
became submerged in water. But this is speculation.
Regarding birds. Most publications regard birds as reservoir hosts of
West Nile virus despite the fact that -- in common with most rodents
and birds infected with an arbovirus -- viremia is short-lived,
usually a matter of a few days. If you go to most text books and
publication WN is said to have birds as reservoir hosts. Similarly
most websites cite birds as reservoirs, including the CDC
websites. I agree that infective mosquitoes will remain infective
until they die, but the duration their infective life may be very
short. However, there is evidence that WN virus can survive in some
hibernating mosquitoes. Ticks are much longer-lived than mosquitoes
and certain species seem to be capable of transmitting WN virus
amongst bird populations, and in such situations ticks as well as
birds could be considered reservoir hosts.
Yes, many other bird species besides corvids are infected, or have
the potential to be infected, with WN virus and some species appear
to be more important in the transmission cycle than corvids, but this
will depend on their local distribution.
As I have previously said it is difficult to guess exactly what the
repercussions will be in the weeks and months post hurricane Katrina.
- Mod.MS]
[see also:
Mosquitoes, post hurricane - USA (04) 20050914.2721
Mosquitoes, post hurricane - USA (03) 20050914.2714
Mosquitoes, post hurricane - USA (02) 20050912.2696
Norovirus, post-hurricane - USA 20050911.2693]
...................tg/pg/ms/lm
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===========================
are Of Mold: Moisture Can Cause Serious Problems
Sep 3, 2005, 08:17 PM
http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=3804450&nav=3w6re7hY
Web Producer: Jason Bailey
Thousands of homes were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and those that were damaged will need major repairs and cleanup with special attention to preventing mold.
But it doesn't take a water soaked home to bring out the mold spores.
Families faced with flooding should be aware that water and moisture can create a health hazard, mold. Ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Frank Astor explains what inhaling or touching spores can do.
Frank Astor, M.D., is an ear, nose and throat specialist.
He says, "You may have difficulty swallowing, infections of the pharynx, in the lungs, you may have symptoms of wheezing such as asthma, shortness of breath, or you can also have coughing. In the eyes, you may have redness and skin may become red or blistery."
While toxic mold has gotten a lot of attention, common mold spores can be very irritating to those who are sensitive.
"People who have asthma, people who have allergies are susceptible. People who have respiratory diseases either in the sinuses or the lungs," says Dr. Astor.
The Centers for Disease Control says controlling moisture is the key to keeping mold under control.
Drying out flooded areas might require a pump or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. Open windows and doors and use dehumidifiers that blow out, not in.
When cleaning up, an 'N-95' respirator is recommended so you don't breathe in spores. Also wear gloves and goggles.
The Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend using chlorine beach for routine mold clean up.
Large cleanup jobs require professional help because you want to make sure there are no spores in your ac or vents.
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A Grand Plan
The scientists, engineers and politicians who had been squabbling realized how close the entire delta had come to disaster, and Bahr says that it scared them into reaching a consensus. Late in 1998 the governor's office, the state's Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service and all 20 of the state's coastal parishes published Coast 2050--a blueprint for restoring coastal Louisiana.
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MOLD. . .What is it all about?
Posted by David R. H.
Monday, 30 July 2001
Mold has certainly made it's way into people's homes as well as the headlines recently. Many people still don't fully understand the health hazards of fungal exposure. The term toxic mold is somewhat misleading as it connotates an idea that certain molds are toxic, when actually certain types of molds produce secondary metabolites that produce toxins. The correct term is mycotoxins. Airborne mycotoxins from can definitely destroy one's health. Sometimes, people are unaware that they are breathing mold spores and mycotoxins until they are very sick. Certain people have a minor allergic reactions to the non-toxic mold, but once you leave the affected area they most likely recover with few serious side effects. However, if they have been exposed to the dangerous molds such as Stachybotrys or Chaetomium, they could suffer from a myriad of serious symptoms and illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, mental deficiencies, heart problems, cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple chemical sensitivity, bleeding lungs and much more.
This website is dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of innocent people who have lost their lives, health, and homes to this scourge as our government, insurance companies, social service organizations, and disaster management groups have ignored them in their greatest time of need. We offer the finest education, resources, and solutions regarding what everyone must know about the most devastating health hazard of this millennium.
http://www.mold-help.org/
- Red Tape - New Allegations Surface around Katrina —Michael Isikoff, Thu Sep 15 22:32
- Follow the money for the real story —Molly Ivins, Thu Sep 15 22:55
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