West Niles Virus

“here in Ohio! Thirs person this year.

They say its in 41 states know and spreading.

Make shure you dont hike this summer or use lots of BUG DOPE!”

“I herd if we have a very cold winter it will kill most of it off.

8|”

“Fasten your seatbelt would be better advice. This West Nile virus is a joke. More people are killed by lightning.”

“You only have to worry about it if you're very old or young and if you have immune system difficenties. We have NO CROWS left in our town, (and we had loads in spring), there are dead birds laying all over but there's only been 1 death from west nile in Mich thus far. That's not many.”

“The crows are Gone?

We haven't had any birds dying off like that in Georgia that I've heard of. We had unexplained mortality in some of the few Bald Eagles across the Southeast... but that was three or four years ago, just before there were any reports of West Nile in the U.S. (and the first of those were in New York State?).”

“Around where I work...there were two dead crows in two different districts. So far, I have only heard that crows are getting infected. Is this true? Are other birds dying of the virus too?”

“got a wnv update seminar tomorrow ....maybe it will be informative....”

“I think we should worry more about the birds, the virus seems to be a much worse threat to them!”

“Hmmm maybe this is natures way of thinning out the crows...we have way to many of them here. They are taking over.
I really don't worry about it. I think someone else said the biggest danger is small children and older people.
I have been bitten many times and still kicking.
Barbara”

“i must admit, i don't get the whole to-do over this virus. only 3 deaths this year?? not to make light of them, of course, but it seems like almost anything is more likely to kill you than West Nile.

it's the same with the big deal about kidnappings. there were more last year at this time than there have been this year (if you believe Katie Couric).”

“You are all going to die. And the witch will be the first to go.”

“Dead crows is good. Actually not. They are prime scavengers that help remove dead carcasses. But they are so obnoxious! Hard to decide. If only they ate live squirrels!”

“The virus affects all birds. And horses too, but there is a vaccination for horses. The Detroit Zoo has been taking precautions for their birds (removing stangnant water, I guess there is some sort of vaccination for birds too, but not as effective).

Lyra, there's been more than three deaths already to west nile. Two in Michigan alone. I'm not super worried about it either, I'm pretty healthy, and they say you may get it and never even notice you have it if your body can fight it off. Its like the flu, the old and the young can die from the flu also, others get it but fight it off.”

“aHEM! was that a jab at me, Dunadan? hey, i saw on newgirl's stalker thread that you're looking for some excitement. i'd be glad to stalk you, if only you lived a little closer...what a shame.”

“Some one found a dead Magpie out here with it. The big freeze has already hit so they're not spraying this year. Lyra's right, you have a better chance of being hit by a speeding bus.”

“....or seeing the Devil”

“Hey, witch girl, I didn't name any names, did I?
I am, however, much flattered to be even mentioned on your stalk list. How are the other guys holding up under your pressure?”

“hey, no prob. well, ya know, the monkeys really help me out a lot. and, now that Aero's given out my home phone number, hopefully some of my potential stalkees will start calling me! wish me luck...”

“With your personality, I'm sure the phone is ringing as I type.
.....smooches, baby......”

“We've had 8 West Nile deaths here in Alabama so far this year. I do wish the newsmorons would stop going on and on about it. My daughter actually asked me about it this morning. I told her that she didn't have anything to worry about. I'd use the "greater chance of being hit by a bus" analogy, but then she'd be afraid of buses...”

“I didn't know you wear glasses. That is beyond cute, girl!!!”

“WooHoo!”

“But, I can see why you aren't afraid of mosquitoes. Ain't nothin' gonna bite that!”

“LMAO!!! ;-)”

“"If only they ate live squirrels!"

I've actually witnessed baby squirels being gobbled up by a crow!

Yeah, seriously...Birch and I were just talking about it the other day...neither of us can remember the last time we saw a crow. Apparently they are the dirtiest, most unhealthy of the birds so they die the fastest. But there are also alot of dead sparrows, etc.”

“Hmmm... 'bottom feeders'... like catfish?

I do have some older relatives, but I'm not overly concerned for the human population. I was just thinking that if there are die-offs there will be 'ripples' moving up and down the food chain... sometimes with unpredictable results.

And Now... back to the stalking!”

“According to the http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/viruses.htm " target="_blank">CDC there are more than 20,000 deaths from flu every year.

Can’t see that this deserves any serious attention.

It first entered the country near here. We did keep our infant indoors in the evening but that’s it.”

“I beg to differ. Pigeons are dirtier than crows! Around here, (Chicago) they've been dubbed "flying rats!"”

“You may beg all you like, but I won't allow you to differ! ;o)”

“just for your information: blue jays are also at risk.. there has been two reported cases in central pa.”

“Just how long do you think it will be before the birds decide they need to wipe us out to prevent us from carrying the disease and infecting them?”

“Alfred Hitchcock was a prophet!”

“The folks banding birds up on Dolly Sods used a hand wash after handling the little critters. They also stopped letting visitors handle birds because of all the diseases floating around.

Funny thing: the bird populations are declining while the human population is expanding. Maybe Violin is right.”

“Whoa, there, crow defamers! Crows are some of the most intelligent birds. They are highly social and love to play and explore. I suggest you read some Carlos Casteneda or "A Year In The Maine Woods" and get your attitudes back in shape.”

“I got this to say to mosquitos...

Suck my blood!

I would have said suck my dick, but matt has censored that part of my anatomy.”

“Damn he uncensored my #&%!$ just to make me look like an ass.

West Nile you Matt!”

“I've been keeping an eye on these reports lately too. A friend of mine lives near the Detroit Zoo, and she works in Livonia. Both places of where people/birds have contracted this disease, and have died. I'm concerned about this, primarily because I HAVE seen dead crows near my area. I don't stay outdoors that late anymore, and I slather on Deep Woods Off to keep those pests at bay. DEET is the one thing that has been proven to keep mosquito's away. No more cancer scare, so I'm stocking up!

Maybe there isn't much to get all up in arms about, but I'm not taking my chances. Those stinkin bugs LOVE my blood. I can't wait for the fall/winter this year! I sincerely hope that someone comes up with a sure-fire way to get rid of this mess soon!”

“Ok now I'm getting worried. I spent the weekend canoeing at Turkey Run in Indiana and now I've come down sick. Started with headache and fever on Monday and got worse. Spent Tuesday at home with high fever, sore throat and a bad rash on my chest. Rash is still here but not as bad. Also still have the sore throat. Otherwise feel OK, just a litte lightheaded, like when you have the flu. So anyway, I'm one of those stubborn asses that never goes to the doctor unless I'm dying. Should I be worried now? This is not a joke. Any opinions?Should I see a doctor if I don't feel better tomorrow?”

“But I'm not a doctor. Don't be stubborn just because. I'm not paranoid by nature, but considering how many people have ignored something that was treatable and died from it, I'd rethink my plan of action if I were you.

I'd take the day off of work, call the doc's and explain your concerns and get in to see him/her, tomorrow.

I've been reading up on this thing, and everyone is right: you DON'T know you have it until it's nearly too late! Not trying to be personal, but consider your age too. Granted, persons of the older generation have been the ones dying from this disease. However, you can't ignore what symptoms you DO have right now.

Good luck Indiana John! :-)”

“I heard from the news that it takes 4 months for the symtoms to appear. So if some mosquitoe bites you today...you'll only know 4 months later.

Same thing happened to me Indiana John...I went trail running and bushwacking on a Sat. a few months back...got stung a few times by mosquitoes...was sick for 4 days starting on Tue....fever, headache, nausea, vertigo, cold and hot spells but no rash...losted 8 lbs.”

“Every year the common flu kills thousands of people here in the US. It is being sensationalized by the media. It may have some effect on ecosystems by decreasing the # of crows and other birds, but the threat to humans is at this time negligible.

Driving is far more dangerous.”

“I didn't know anyone had died from it in Livonia. Are you sure Coyote13? That's where we live.”

“The news media is definitely blowing this way out of proportion. You've got a greater chance of dying in your car on your way to the doctor to find out if you've gotten West Nile than actually dying from West Nile.”

“That's for the reminder 'Dan. My favorite line fron Carlos Casteneda, after coming to his senses three days later, out in the desert, naked... when he catches up to Don Juan again, he asks him What The Hell Happened, and Don Juan says:

"I don't know, man. You turned into a crow and flew out the window."”

“del(t')

ins(nk)”

“LOL!! ol' Carlos rocks. and i no idea until i read A Year In the Maine Woods that crows were so smart. my favorite part of that book is where he sucks up 9 CUPS of little flies with the dust-buster. uuuuugh! i think my head would have exploded from the annoyance.”

“Sorry I didn't get back to this sooner! Yes, there was an older man in Ferndale area that died, another one in Berkley,(both confirmed that they died from the virus, at least one other person that has died, and it's being looked into as to why) penguins that died at the zoo, and the virus was discovered in Livonia via a dead bird (crow?). There was also a horse in Hazel Park that died from the virus, and from what I've been reading, there are more people being tested for it.

I just read an update in the Oakland Press.com about this, and everyone agrees that DEET is THE main ingrediant that keeps those stinkin blood suckers away. Check your bug juice at home, and if it contains N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, then you have a product with DEET in it.

I agree: you do have a better chance of dying from a car wreck than you do from this. However, being cautious and careful is the best way to prevent even the smallest chance of contracting this disease.

Hey Indian John, how are you doing? Did you ever give in and go to see your doc? I sincerely hope you're feeling better.”

“Go to theoaklandpress.com Read the story about the man recovering from a bout of the West Nile Virus. Interesting read!”

“I heard that there are traces of west nile up in Alaska. WTF is up with that, misquitos shouldn't be up there”