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During the week June 7-11, 2004 four items were published in the Panama City News
Herald that pertain to West Nile virus. “Mosquito
controllers prepare for appearance of West Nile” and "Panhandle
Mosquito Facts" were published on Tuesday, June 8, 2004. “Look who’s
breeding mosquitoes” was printed on the editorial page on Wednesday,
June 9, 2004 and “State’s
first West Nile case of year reported in Sarasota” was published on
Friday, June 11, 2004.
Several issues merit comment.
Florida’s first diagnosed case
of West Nile may not have been acquired in Florida. The
case in question concerns an individual who had vacationed in Arizona where West Nile has
been reported in humans this year. State
health officials acknowledged that West Nile virus may be present year-round in Florida
and cautioned persons that the best protection from West Nile is to avoid being bitten by
mosquitoes.
In “Look who’s breeding
mosquitoes” stormwater drainage ditches were implicated as a source of mosquitoes. The writer lives in Panama City Beach, so Mr. Ed
Hunter, Director of Beach Mosquito Control was consulted.
Ed Hunter is familiar with the impoundment in question and his field crew monitors
that particular stormwater retention pond. Mosquito
larvicides are applied when warranted. That
particular site is not considered a threat to the public well-being. However, it is essential to communicate the message
that well maintained retention ponds are an essential component of effective water
management. Proper stormwater management
protects the marine environment from excessive fertilizers from residential lawns and
petroleum distillates from our highways.
“Panhandle mosquito
facts” published on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 states that “the largest mosquitoes
that you see do not bite humans or animals at all.”
The largest mosquito most people see is Psorophora ciliata, the
feather-legged gallinipper,and this species does indeed bite humans! It is true that there is a larger mosquito, but it
is unlikely that the casual observer will catch a glimpse of Toxorhynchites. Detailed information about Toxorhynchites is
available in an EntGuide available online at http://www.pherec.org/entguides/EntGuide3.html
Why does West Nile grab the
headlines? WN is not more pathogenic than SLE
or EEE. First of all, WN started in 1999 in
the Big Apple. That got headlines, for sure. Then WN proceeded to spread to both coasts, where
the population (and media) are concentrated. And
WN spread faster than anyone expected. Consequently,
WN has received a lot of publicity. But this
is not the first time mosquito transmitted diseases have emerged and re-emerged in the U.
S. A Yellow Fever epidemic killed thousands in
New Orleans at the turn of the century (1899-1901). We
have a lot to learn about West Nile, but it will take patience and careful surveillance. Our business is the patience and surveillance.
Late breaking news: A very positive attitude was
expressed in a letter t the editor of the Panama City News Herald on Tuesday
morning, June 15, 2004. See 37cFORUM.
Reported by: Dr. Jack Petersen
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