Mosquitoes

June 17, 2008 -- BURLINGTON - Each year in Vermont, mosquitoes are mapped, monitored, targeted and trapped and – when spotted – swatted, smacked and squished.

The Vermont Department of Health’s main interest in the pests is whether or not the mosquitoes are infected with West Nile virus, an infection that may cause illness.

Mosquito: Photo by OliBac (CC)

Most mosquitoes are not infected with West Nile virus, which is transmitted from infected birds to certain types of mosquitoes that routinely feed on robins, jays, crows, ravens and raptors.    » read more »

Governor Issues Executive Order Implementing New Policy

April 1, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today established a new statewide policy for mosquito control on state-owned lands aimed at helping reduce public health threats such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Mosquito: (Photo CC Gerald Yuvallos)

Gov. Lynch issued Executive Order 2008-4 directing agencies to implement the new policy, which was developed by a working group chaired by Exeter State Sen. Maggie Hassan.    » read more »

Two new counties reporting West Nile virus in animals and insects

October 24, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting today four additional human cases of West Nile virus bringing this year’s total in Illinois to 85. Additional cases include:

• Cook County man in his 60’s became ill in early September
• Cook County infant became ill in early October
• Kane County man in his 60’s became ill in early October
• McLean County woman in her 80’s became ill in late September    » read more »

Oct. 8, 2007 -- Maricopa County Public Health reported today its first death related to the 2007 West Nile virus season, an elderly man from Phoenix.

“It seems our West Nile cases peak later in the season and this year looks to be no exception,” said Dr. Bob England, director of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

“And even though it seems that our first death is coming late in the season, we are on track to not only see more cases this year, but more cases with the worst types of West Nile – West Nile encephalitis or meningitis.”    » read more »

Two new counties reporting West Nile virus in birds

September 26, 2007 -- SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting today 14 additional human cases of West Nile virus including a Gallatin County woman in her 80’s who died on September 12. The woman is reported to have become ill in early September. This newly reported case in addition to the 13 cases listed below brings the total this year to 48. Additional cases include:

• McHenry County man in his 30’s became ill in mid-September    » read more »

14 September 2007 -- University scientists in the United States have taken what they say is an important step in the effort to end malaria. At Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, scholars recently identified a sugar in mosquitoes that helps explain, for the first time, the mechanism of the malaria parasite invasion. The finding could be a key element for a vaccine development in the fight against malaria. Producer Zulima Palacio spoke with the authors of the research and files this report. Carol Pearson narrates it.    » read more »

Health officials encourage taking precautions

September 12, 2007 -- LANSING - The Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture (MDA) today received confirmation from the Michigan State University (MSU) Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health (DCPAH) that a yearling Quarter Horse from Cass County tested positive for the Mosquito-borne disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The young stallion was demonstrating neurological signs associated with EEE and was humanely euthanized. This is the second case of EEE in a Michigan horse this year.    » read more »