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Sunday, August 26, 2012

West Nile Virus Explodes across North Texas

Well, I have been sick for some time now and it turns out much can be attributed to this virus. The best advice for avoiding the virus is to stay inside as much as possible, apply any brand mosquito spray to exposed skin areas making sure that it includes DEET when you have to be outside and avoid Dawn or Dusk times as that is the most active times for mosquitoes. Just thought I would pass some of this info along to help educate folks who are not aware of the potential danger. I hope to be up and posting some new photos and blog posts about some new Swiss Army Knives soon.
Article from this website; West Nile Virus Update National 08/21/12 cdc.gov: West Nile Virus Update – Thus far in 2012, 47 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 1118 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 41 deaths, have been reported to CDC. Of these, 629 (56%) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 489 (44%) were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease. The 1118 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the third week in August since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999. Approximately 75 percent of the cases have been reported from 5 states (Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma) and almost half of all cases have been reported from Texas.

Panic Over West Nile Virus Excerpt from the preceding article - West Nile Virus can be a serious and unfortunately sometimes a deadly infection. But the majority of people who do get WNV (80%) will never really “know” they were infected, while 20% of people with WNV will have a fever, headache, body aches, stomach aches, a rash and fatigue. But, as with many other viral illnesses, the symptoms will typically be treated with over the counter medication to control fever and body aches (acetaminophen or ibuprofen), fluids for hydration and lots of rest.