On July 25th, a South Side woman, age 56, was hospitalized due to encephalitis, claiming that the main cause was the West Nile Virus. Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. It can result also from bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). What is more interesting is that the media and the hospital are not disclosing the woman's name or information. In addition, they did not tell that only 0.7% of the infected has this type of seriousness.
For those who are not so familiar with the WNV, I will explain it the best way I can. It is a viral disease spread through a mosquito during mid summer and fall. From researches, we have seen that this mosquito tend to affect the elderly and also people with their immune systems already endangered; not as much as children and adults, but it doesn’t mean that they cannot be affected by the virus. Another fact that many don't know is that the female mosquito carries the virus,--by biting birds that maintain the virus--and so the larvae that she will lay will also contain the virus. So it is very important that, we, Chicagoans, get rid of standing water. By empting water from flower pots, pet food, and water dishes, birdbath, swimming pool covers (that's a big one!), buckets, barrels, cans, bottles, tires, or anything that has standing water in your yard or garage, you are actually reducing the number of places that the mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed. Another alternative way to protect yourself is to wear repellents, pants, and long sleeve shirts. And especially not to go out during dawn or dusk, because that’s when the mosquitoes are more imminent.
In 2002, many people were affected by this virus; causing uproar and making people go for extreme means of solution-mass spraying of the Anvil pesticide. Not so much is known about this, thus NO LONG TERM testing has been done yet. All we know is that it is a carcinogen, which means it mimics our body hormones, especially estrogen in the woman's body. As any general pesticide, it can be a cause of cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, and conditions like autism. Also spraying is not effective at all. It does not kill the actual mosquitoes flying, but the larvae. Ok, it kills the larvae, but mosquitoes can reproduce faster than rabbits, and sometimes, mosquitoes do not need a mate for fertilization. So why spray something that can obviously be bad? Influenza and car accidents takes up more life’s every year than WNV, I feel bad of saying that, because people are dying but it is true! And honestly, more people are going to, not because of the virus itself, but for the NOT TESTED pesticide. With that in mind, I strongly believe it is up to us to do something about it.
- You can get WNV by organ donation and blood transfusion!!!
Educate yourself, research; don’t just be listening to what ever the news is
saying... Want to know the truth? Research... I did my part, and I know I can
do more. Now, it is up to you.... If you want to walk on Pulaski Rd. and be sprayed on your face
while carrying your baby, or to take action! I had that experience last year on
Lawrence St... I
was walking and they sprayed me head to toe at 7 o'clock. I was on the wrong day, place, and really bad timing! It
tasted horrible, and the smell... I don't even know like what it smells.
So
call your alderman regarding this issue before it is too late.
P.S.: I wonder if you are bitten by a rodent, or something of the sort, -bitten by the mosquito and carring the virus- if you can possibly get west niles too. That would be interesting to know. If you know, comment me here please...
It is awesome to be part of this environmental group, that only brings admirable things to our community and Chicago... Glad to be an intern!
