Prevention of West Nile Virus

As you have read from previous posts, the West Nile Virus is a very serious thing that has become an endemic across warm climates in America and around the world. So far, there is really no specific cure for this virus only way to help make it better or prevent future infections. One way of prevention that has become quite popular across our country is the method of ariel spraying of pyrethrin, which is a mosquito adulticide. Adulticiding is the way that mosquitos and the spread of the virus is controlled. This method a prevention is so far the most effective one. The spray is distributed from an airplane or from trucks equipped with the technology to spray areas evenly and with the correct amount. The numbers of cases of WNV in states such as California have gone down tremendously since doing the aerial spray. Although this method is highly effective, the decision to do the spray is crucial. The spray has many different chemicals in it. "The applied compound was Evergreen EC 60–6 insecticide (MGK, Minneapolis, MN, USA), a product composed of 6% pyrethrin/60% piperonyl butoxide (8)(Efficacy of Ariel Spraying)." The  pyrethin adulticide is only sprayed on the areas that are at the highest risk or have the highest numbers of cases already. They will not do this spray just on any area that is typically not exposed to the West Nile Virus because there have been more cases reported of asthma related health problems in people from being exposed to high amounts of chemicals related back to the spraying. More typical and easy ways to prevent being infected with the virus is to apply insect or mosquito repellent when going out side, avoid being outside during dawn and dusk, wear loose clothing because mosquitos are able to bite through thin clothes, empty things that collect water frequently, and ensure that all windows and doors are securely sealed to prevent mosquitos from entering the house.  

Here is an image of the spray coming from a truck. 

This is a picture of the ariel spray coming from an airplane 

West Nile Virus: Reducing the Risk. By: Bren, Linda, FDA Consumer, 03621332, Jan/Feb2003, Vol. 37, Issue 1; http://ezp.tccd.edu:2134/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=0a5eed55-d669-4f58-adb3-e0ae736c9f4c%40sessionmgr15&vid=4&hid=17

Ryan M. Carney, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, 60 College St, PO Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA;