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West
Nile virus is an arbovirus closely related to St. Louis encephalitis
virus, but generally causes a milder disease in humans. Both viruses
are transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, which becomes infected
with the virus when feeding on an infected bird. Like St. Louis encephalitis,
West Nile virus is not transmitted from person to person or from birds
to persons. The West Nile virus has been commonly found in humans and
birds and other vertebrates in Africa, Eastern Europe, West Asia, and
the Middle East, but has not previously been documented in the Western
Hemisphere. All residents of areas where virus activity has been identified
are at risk of getting West Nile encephalitis; persons greater than
50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease. Following transmission
by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus multiples in the person's blood
system and crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. The virus
interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes
inflammation of brain tissue.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Wear long sleeves and pants in a mosquito-infested area
Use mosquito repellant
containing DEET (follow label instructions carefully)
Limit outdoor activities
at dawn, dusk, and early evening, when mosquitoes are most active
Repair holes in door
and window screens
Eliminate standing
water in your yard, as mosquitoes will lay eggs there (tires, flower pots,
pet dishes, puddles, and bird baths are favorite nesting grounds)
Keep your swimming
pool aerated, and consider purchasing mosquito-eating fish for your pond
Keep your gutters clean
to prevent standing water
Source: United States Geological Survey
To avoid exposure
to the pesticide being used to kill mosquitoes:
Stay indoors during
spraying
Keep pets indoors
Close windows
Turn off air conditioners
Keep toys and outdoor
equipment and furniture under cover
Wash any produce harvested
from a home garden.
Source: R.I. Department of Environmental Management
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