West Nile mosquitoes in DC got Dr. Fauci

[Anonymous]

This is terrifying. Watch out!

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is recovering after being hospitalized with West Nile virus, a spokesperson said. Dr. Carlos del Rio says Dr. Fauci believes he got it from mosquitoes in his backyard.

Fauci recovering after hospitalization for West Nile virus

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is recovering at home after being hospitalized with West Nile virus, a spokesperson said.

Fauci, a longtime public health official who became a household name as part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, is expected to recover fully, the spokesperson said.

About 1,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with the most severe form of West Nile virus, which is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Another 1,500, on average, are diagnosed after developing symptoms, although experts estimate that as many of 80% of infections in the US are never identified.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile. Most cases are mild, causing flu-like symptoms and a rash. In about 1 in 150 cases, the virus invades the brain and nervous system, which can lead to brain swelling, brain damage or death. About 100 people die from West Nile infections in the US each year.

The heaviest virus activity is usually seen in August and September. As of August 20, 216 cases have been reported this year in 33 states, with 142 neuroinvasive cases, according to preliminary data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is terrifying. Watch out!

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is recovering after being hospitalized with West Nile virus, a spokesperson said. Dr. Carlos del Rio says Dr. Fauci believes he got it from mosquitoes in his backyard.

Fauci recovering after hospitalization for West Nile virus

Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is recovering at home after being hospitalized with West Nile virus, a spokesperson said.

Fauci, a longtime public health official who became a household name as part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, is expected to recover fully, the spokesperson said.

About 1,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with the most severe form of West Nile virus, which is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Another 1,500, on average, are diagnosed after developing symptoms, although experts estimate that as many of 80% of infections in the US are never identified.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile. Most cases are mild, causing flu-like symptoms and a rash. In about 1 in 150 cases, the virus invades the brain and nervous system, which can lead to brain swelling, brain damage or death. About 100 people die from West Nile infections in the US each year.

The heaviest virus activity is usually seen in August and September. As of August 20, 216 cases have been reported this year in 33 states, with 142 neuroinvasive cases, according to preliminary data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The post says 1,000 Americans are hospitalised each year but there have only been 216 reported cases in the first 8 months of this year. Even if Aug and Sep are the worst months, still sounds like it’s been a good year so far?

[Anonymous]

https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/data-maps/current-year-data.html

216 cases were reported this year.

Let's shut down for two weeks. Alternatively, if mosquitos are spreading West Nile, it isn't a considerable danger.

[Anonymous]

Can we just...get rid of the mosquitoes? We have the technology to do this. C'mon!

[Anonymous]

My father had West Nile encephalitis 12 years ago this Fall. He had to relearn to walk and couldn’t work for months. He was close to death when admitted to the hospital. His hospital admission was delayed because the ER sent him home twice telling him he just had the flu (in September). Mosquito borne illnesses are no joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we just...get rid of the mosquitoes? We have the technology to do this. C'mon!

Then many kinds of birds will starve.

[Anonymous]

I used to get bitten so much that I assumed I'd already had a mild case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we just...get rid of the mosquitoes? We have the technology to do this. C'mon!

Why don’t we spray?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we just...get rid of the mosquitoes? We have the technology to do this. C'mon!

Why don’t we spray?

Some counties spray certain areas, not sure about dc. It is controversial due to the impact on bees and other insects. Our county tests certain swampy areas and sprays if they find infected mosquitoes, at night to minimize impact on other insects. People get very upset when they see the spray truck though. I think it’s a balanced approach. We all live in a swamp by the Chesapeake below the fall line, mosquitoes are a big deal.

[Anonymous]

I stopped gardening in the evening due to the mosquitoes. Now, I wear long sleeves and pants to garden.

I just set up mosquito dunks and hope they work soon.

[Anonymous]

Lately we've had swallows swooping and circling around our home. They're a joy to watch, but they're busy catching and eating bugs.

Make our communities bird and bat friendly. Easiest way to help keep down mosquito swarms.

[Anonymous]

I have a young baby and she has been getting bitten by mosquitos quite a lot this summer. How worried should I be about this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we just...get rid of the mosquitoes? We have the technology to do this. C'mon!

Then many kinds of birds will starve.

No actually the asian tiger mosquito is invasive and not a natural part of the local ecosystem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a young baby and she has been getting bitten by mosquitos quite a lot this summer. How worried should I be about this?

Use an electric fan to keep them away from her.

[Anonymous]

DC, as usual, can’t get out of its own way on public safety and public health. So many of my virtue signaling neighbors have those food scrap recycling buckets that regularly fill up with rain and left over food. Of course none of them take the time to bring them in or clean them out so the rats and mosquitoes in our alley have exploded. My neighbors all have advanced degrees but no common sense.