Monday, September 10, 2018
Sophie Knox- West Nile Virus in New Jersey
Summary: West Nile Virus causes symptoms in about 25% of the infectious people, 20% develop headaches, fevers, or rashes, and less than 1% die from it. Typically it is spread through mosquitoe bites. However, people over 60 have a greater risk of symptoms/ complications. In New Jersey 2017, there were around 549 West Nile gene pools found in mosquitos and now there are 767- almost a 40% increase. So far, 2 in California and 1 in Greenville country have died due to the Virus. Officials say that this virus might become more common, and the best way to avoid it is to not get bitten by mosquitoes. They advise to get rid of still water and wear bug spray.
Analysis: Although not as deadly as Zika, with its rapid growth, the Nile Virus might become a daily part of our lives where we will have to take extra care of prevention of mosquitoes. There is no treatment for it so thankfully only a small portion receive symptoms and even less die. Still, we don’t know if/how the Virus can effect us later in life and if the Virus will mutate/evolve and become more dangerous. Mosquito Viruses seem to becoming more and more popular. I noticed that most of the articles about the Nile Virus ( different west Nile Virus cases in different states) were uploaded hours apart, so I think the media is trying to play this up, and make a bigger deal out of it than it is. This can be compared to the diseases colonists gave the natives. Although this isn’t deadly, it is rapidly growing like the diseases colonies gave the Indians.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.northjersey.com/amp/1250699002
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I personally found this article very informative because i never knew their was such thing as West Nile Virus. I also wasn't aware on how much the virus had spread and,how could this issue be fixed or taken under control by the government or community?, because as you said this could lead to a greater issue.- Yesenia Ramirez
ReplyDeleteI had been familiar with the west nile cases in Texas because a few summers back, i recall the city spraying pesticides to try and prevent the cases, but i was not aware that this is a problem in parts of the country outside of the south. -Fiona Graybill
ReplyDeleteThis article was really well-written, and I found it very fascinating as I have rarely heard of this virus. I wonder if it will continue to spread across the USA, or if it will just remain in the wetter/ more humid regions. I found what you said about a mutation of the virus to become something more hazardous to be a very interesting and analytical approach to the topic.
ReplyDeleteI remember a while back the West Nile virus was a big deal and was very relevant but it seems like people kinda just forgot about it so it is kinda worrying that this is now coming back because I feel like if we don't take precaution it will evolve or spread even more
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