Foreclosures help spread West Nile virus in California
October 2, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
While it may seem like a stretch – it’s not if you think about it. Foreclosed homes that are abandoned can help increase the spread of West Nile virus if the house has a swimming pool or spa. The still, dirty water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry the virus and as they mature, the spread out and spread the virus.
According to news reports, the area of California (Bakersfield) that saw a spike in West Nile in 2007 should actually have fewer cases of the virus this year because of the dry hot weather they had been experiencing. Drier weather reduces the number of spots where mosquitoes can breed and it also reduces the number of birds in the area. This is important because birds can carry the virus wherever they fly, covering large territories. In 2007, West Nile season began a month earlier than usual as well. With the increasing number of abandoned homes (and pools and spas), not only did the mosquitoes find homes, so did sparrows, which mated and grew in population.
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Images: MorgueFile.com
Tags: chronic pain blog, pain blog, west nile virus, mosquitoes spread west nile
