Professor
Pace University
Dept. of Biological Sciences
1. The West Nile virus belongs to a large group of arthropod-borne viruses (nicknamed ARBO viruses) which includes many viruses that cause more familiar forms of encephalitis as well as dengue fever and yellow fever.
2. ARBO viruses need hosts in which to live. The primary hosts are referred to as RESERVOIRS. Vectors transfer virus from host to host.
3. For West Nile virus, mosquitoes are the vectors and BIRDS are the primary hosts - HUMANS are only an alternate host.
4. ARBO viruses are very difficult to spread. A person has to be bitten by a mosquito that has recently bitten an infected animal in whose blood the virus is circulating.
Based upon experience with other West Nile Virus epidemics, less than one tenth of one percent of people bitten by infected mosquitoes develop any clinical signs of the disease.
HOWEVER 10% OF THOSE WHO ACTUALLY DEVELOP ENCEPHALITIS MAY DIE OF THE DISEASE.
In New York City during the two month 1999 encephalitis "epidemic" more people died each day of respiratory diseases such as asthma and tuberculosis than died from the west nile virus.
5. The use of pesticides to eliminate adult mosquitoes is a LAST resort in treating real ARBO virus infestations, such as malaria, encephalitis and dengue.
6. Adult mosquitoes develop resistance to pesticides.
7. Broadcast spraying kills many non-target insect species including honeybees, praying mantids and ladybird beetles (and maybe butterflies).
8. Common sense tells us it is easier to mosquito proof oneself than spray proof from pesticides.
9. The only human epidemic of West Nile Virus infection that has been well-studied occurred in Romania in the late summer of 1996.
In that epidemic an estimated 94,000 people were infected by the virus, of whom about 400 developed clinically apparent encephalitis; of those 15 people (almost all over age of 65) died.
Ten West Nile virus "epidemics" in Africa over the last 60 years have rarely produced human epidemics.
11. New Jersey established a statewide network of County Mosquito Control Commissions. New Jersey has extensive experience in conducting surveillance programs for vital encephalitis, including use of sentinel chickens in cages in areas where mosquitoes are prevelent.
The chickens are tested regularly for virus activity. This surveillance program successfully reduced human and equine infection by Easter equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis even though these viruses continued to be active in bird populations.
New Jersey abandoned this program several years ago but quickly reestablished it when West Nile virus appeared.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONS HAVE BEEN VIGILANT IN KEEPING INFESTATIONS OF MOSQUITOES IN CHECK THROUGH THE USE OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM).
IPM introduces natural predators to keep mosquito populations in check and uses judicious spot-applications of larvicides. Spraying to control adult mosquitoes is considered a last resort to be used only when local infestations become a serious nuisance or health threat.
In 1999, pesticides were using in August and September. In 2000, pesticides are being used in June and July.
Dr. Bill finds it amazing that politicians and other authorities have taken the steps to expose nearly 10 million people to insecticides while the actual reason for spraying - to prevent West Nile virus infections - has less likelihood of producing human problems.
Many critics of opponents to spraying brand those people as "environmentalists" conjuring up images of tree-huggers, and other negative connotations.
Dr. Bill would like to thank those "environmentalists" because they are asking for information which is not now being provided.
DOES ANYONE WONDER WHY SPRAYING IN THE NEW YORK CITY AND WESTCHESTER COUNTY AREAS NOW INCLUDE AT LEAST TWO SPRAYINGS.
Is there a program of attack or simply a knee-jerk reaction without a real plan.
FRIGHTENING ISN'T IT.
Dr. Bill is a trained Ph.D pharmacogist/toxicologist who has extensive experience in the area of pesticides/insecticides.