West Nile mosquitoes in DC got Dr. Fauci

[Anonymous]

Now it’s hitting Baltimore too.

[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?

Don't panic, but you should be concerned enough to stop taking her where she'll be bitten. At a minimum, isn't she miserable and trying to scratch?

Not blaming you, PP! Just noting that if she's so young you can't use any repellents on her skin or clothes (dousing hats and clothes with repellent can help but not for a baby who might suck on those things) -- you should stop taking her outside at times of day and in places where you encounter mosquitoes. If that means your own yard, I'm so sorry. But West Nile is for real--see the post in this thread about it--and the very young, very old and those with compromised health are always at greater risk of complications.

Also be aware of the rare but much more serious disease, eastern equine encephalitis, which mosquitoes can carry. If you travel to Massachusetts, PP -- well, don't. Look up the current equine encephalitis outbreak there. Authorities are asking everyone in certain areas to stay indoors to avoid being bitten; that's how grave the disease is. Equine encephalitis is not in this region at this time, and again, it's rare, but it's not something to risk under any circumstances. I'm not trying to scare you, just noting that the "skeeter bites" of our youth are no longer just something to laugh off, unfortunately.

[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.

They will eat other insects

[Anonymous]

People need to read about this. Mentioned above--Eastern equine encephalitis outbreak in MA. If it comes this way there is genuine reason to be extremely cautious. Thirty percent fatality rate is usual with this mosquito borne virus. Pleas note, it IS rare to contract, but once contracted, it's grave.

Not fear-mongering, just noting that information is power here. We need to be more aware, and work harder, everywhere, to get rid of mosquitoes and avoid bites.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/08/25/massachusetts-rare-mosquito-virus/

The Post had primer today on identifying types of mosquito borne illnesses:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/08/26/eastern-equine-encephalitis-west-nile-virus-malaria-dengue/b831067e-63dd-11ef-a399-4245aabdb0ed_story.html

If these links do not work, search Washington Post mosquito and you might get one shot at seeing the full articles as a result of the search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They will eat other insects

Insecticide doesn't only target mosquitoes.

[Anonymous]

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