West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is a strain of encephalitis similar to Saint Louis encephalitis, which reached epidemic proportions in the 1950's and 60's. West Nile virus, like encephalitis, is transmitted by mosquitos. There are several species of mosquitos that have been identified as vectors for West Nile, and more species are constantly being identified. One of the most common species, Culex pipiens or house mosquito, is a carrier as is the Tiger mosquito. These two species are common in and around residential areas which makes the disease that much more dangerous.West Nile virus was first isolated in 1937 in a woman's blood in the West Nile province of Uganda.
Since then there have been outbreaks of epidemic proportions in Israel in the 50's, France in the 60's, thousands of cases in South Africa in the 70's, and found in New York City in 1999. As of December 2002 there are 3,775 reported cases in the United States.It is not known how West Nile arrived in New York, but speculation ranges from an increase of human world travel to terrorist attempts at biological warfare. These speculations were prior to 9/11 and the anthrax threats. We still do not know how West Nile arrived but the latter is a more viable possibility then it was in 1999. 2002 brought 216 fatalities throughout the United States and 3,775 reported cases. The fatalities were nearly all elderly.
Most people who become infected with the virus will have either no symptoms or mild ones, which indicates reported case numbers are much lower than actual cases. Most people who are infected with the virus will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will develop fever: mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.The symptoms of severe infection include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that 1 in 150 persons infected with this virus will develop a more severe form of disease. (From the C.D.C.
website)The speed of the spread of this disease across country is attributed to wild and domestic birds. They are the most common vertebrae host for the disease thus making it extremely mobile. Crows, blue jays, pigeons, chickens, and hawks are among those carriers of the virus which once bitten and infected, cross state lines and are bitten by a local mosquito which in turn bites a local bird etc. The point is, movement is rapid and quarantine is next to impossible. In an attempt to put a stop to the virus in the early stages resulted in mass fogging in New York City in 1999.
It did little to stop the spread of the virus but caused an uproar among the human population. These treatments were done with the blessing of both the E.P.A. as well as the C.D.C. From what information I have pieced together about 70% of the population was in favor of the treatment and thirty adamantly opposed. Those in opposition were substantially more verbal.
New York City was sued by a variety of environmental groups claiming the city was illegally spraying pesticides and contaminating water. ( I can only assume these groups never bothered to actually look at the Hudson River or other water bodies in the city.) As of December 3, 2002, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit and ruled in favor of the New York City.Horses are also affected by the disease. As of June 2002 there is an effective vaccination for horses. There is also an approved larvicide that can be used in horse troughs. The larvicide is called Pre-Strike and is Altosid in a granular form.
The vaccination is expensive and has to be applied by a veterinarian.What can be done for people? The states and counties that do not have a mosquito commission are rapidly getting one. Surveillance will increase. Mosquito control will become more prevalent especially with an increase of larviciding. The C.D.C. recommends that you try to avoid getting bit by avoiding heavily infested areas, using a repellent when you go outside, staying inside at peak mosquito times (dawn and dusk) and most importantly limit the number of places available for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by eliminating standing water sources.You can find more great information and resources like this on the ScaPest web site http://www.scapest.com.
ScaPest is a company that provides special chemical applications to control mosquitos and other pests.The History of Dragons
Copyright 2006 Francesca Black
The Dragon has played an important part in myths and religions since pre-historic times. The history of dragons goes back at least six thousand years, and there are dragon tales and legends from every continent except Antarctica. In almost every culture, and all throughout history, there are stories of these mythical and magical creatures called dragons. Different people have various theories of why so many cultures developed such a long lasting belief in dragons; however, none can actually be proven.
Many believe that dragons were what we now call dinausaurs. It may be that dragon stories partly grew out of people finding dinosaur bones.
The thought is that when dragon bones were dug up later, they were given the new classification of dinosaur. Many evolutionists believe that dinosaurs became extinct millions of years before man walked the planet, while others claims dispute this. It is said that dinosaur fossils, which...
The History of Dragons
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Week-long Caribbean Club Vacation Among Auction Items at Annual Flip Flop Regatta
BOSTON, MA & ANNAPOLIS, MD
August 11, 2004 -? Annapolis-based Sunsail USA, the leading sailing charter company in the US, is donating a one-week trip for two to Club Colonna, a beach and sailing resort on the Caribbean island of Antigua, valued at $1,960, to the second annual Flip Flop Regatta held August 13 and 14 in Boston Harbor.
Proceeds from the regatta benefit The Ally Foundation.The two-person Caribbean trip will be auctioned live on Saturday, August 14 as part of the fundraising activities during the regatta. The Flip Flop Regatta is a U.S. Sailing sanctioned race and one of the few originating in Boston Harbor.
With more than 60 boats and several hundred sailors expected at the starting line this year, the regatta is quickly proving itself as an important sailing event.
It's also an important fundraising event for the ALLY Foundation, which honors the memory and charity work of a young woman killed at a Massachusetts rest stop in 2002. Last...
Week-long Caribbean Club Vacation Among Auction Items at Annual Flip Flop Regatta
Water > Week-long Caribbean Club Vacation Among Auction Items at Annual Flip Flop Regatta
How to Know if a Roulette System Will Fail, Without Actually Purchasing It
(ContentDesk) November 3, 2005 -- Stefano Hourmouzis amazed system roulette players and casinos alike with his approach to play roulette by actually presenting in person proof for virtually unknown physical evidence, that a real roulette table (not software game versions of it) can be beaten."Virtually every system seller CLAIMS their system is a long-term winner, but virtually every system fails in the long-term. So how can you know the truth about any system without actually purchasing?" asks Stefano Hourmouzis in his free report being published at www.roulettecheckup.comStefano Hourmouzis amazed system roulette players and casinos alike with his approach to play roulette by actually presenting in person proof for virtually unknown physical evidence, that a real roulette table (not software game versions of it!) can be beaten.Stefano Hourmouzis is an energy researcher - i.e. developing everything from water-powered cars, to free electricity and improving the physical properties of...
How to Know if a Roulette System Will Fail, Without Actually Purchasing It
Water > How to Know if a Roulette System Will Fail, Without Actually Purchasing It
All New Certified Pool-Spa Operator? Handbook Introduced The Most Important Recreational Water Manual Written in the Last 10 Years
The National Swimming Pool Foundation?(NSPF?) introduced the long-awaited Certified Pool-Spa Operator? Handbook at the Aquatic Health? Conference, October 3-5, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Authored by Ron Ford, veteran CPO? instructor, the new handbook is the fundamental training and reference manual for professionals who help protect those who use aquatic venues, including operators, health officials, service technicians, retailers, property managers, and manufacturers.
This handbook emphasizes pool and spa operations and protecting people in and around the water.
It brings insight into understanding and preventing drowning, suction entrapment, evisceration, diving accidents, recreational water illness, electrocutions, chemical hazards, and slip and falls.
Fresh information related to regulatory agencies and guidelines, disinfection, water balance, water problems, troubleshooting, chemical testing and record keeping, chemical feed and control technology...
Water > All New Certified Pool-Spa Operator? Handbook Introduced The Most Important Recreational Water Manual Written in the Last 10 Years
Cold weather and your air tools
When the outdoor temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit over night, it is time to change to a winter weight oil for your compression pump, engine, and your air tools. This will solve most of the cold weather problems we see. When the outside ambient temperature is below the 40 degree point your air compressor will be hard to start. An easy fix to this problem is to just warm up the air compressor, air lines and air impact wrench before you start it. Also, remember to change to thinner oils for winter use ahead of time.
This can add a lot of life your air tools,impact wrench, etc.. and make life generally easier on a cold morning. And remember your air tool's greatest enemy,water, is always present. It will probably be frozen in the air lines. Another reason why warming up your equipment above the freezing point is a really good idea.
Always drain your air tanks of excess water at the end of the work day. Remember a happy impact wrench is a productive impact wrench.....
Cold weather and your air tools
Water > Cold weather and your air tools
New Product to Help Stop the Spread of West Nile Virus
OriginalUdderBalm.com expands its product offering with Larvae Halt II, a new weapon in the effort to control mosquitoes that spread West Nile Virus.
Anyone with standing water on their property such as farmers, golf courses, homeowners, and municipalities who are concerned about the mosquito population and the spread of West Nile Virus should know about Larvae Halt II.
Up to now, the options for minimizing the mosquito population have included Bti, another larvicide that kills mosquito larvae in clean water, and adulticiding which involves applying chemicals on the ground or in the air in order to kill adult mosquitoes.
Now there is Larvae Halt II, which contains a naturally occurring bacterium that is target specific (mosquito larvae) but will not harm humans, pets, horses, fish, or the environment.
"Larvae Halt II with Bsph is different from the Bti in that it kills mosquito larvae in organically polluted waters such as storm water/drainage systems,...
Water > New Product to Help Stop the Spread of West Nile Virus