Latest news with #WestNile
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First Post
2 days ago
- Health
- First Post
In a first, UK reports West Nile virus in mosquitoes; experts blame it on climate change
In what is being seen a consequence of climate change, the West Nile virus has been detected in the United Kingdom for the first time. As temperatures are rising across the world, diseases are popping in places with no history of that disease. The West Nile virus in the UK is just one such example. read more A vector control team vehicle displays a sign warning of West Nile Virus before the early morning spraying of a neighborhood due to increasing numbers of mosquitoes having tested positive for West Nile virus in San Diego, California, U.S. May 18, 2016. (Representative Photo, Credit: Reuters) For the first time, the West Nile virus has been detected in the United Kingdom. Climate change is being considered as the culprit. In a routine mosquito surveillance programme, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) found the West Nile virus in a batch of aedes vexans mosquitoes collected from marshlands on Idle river in Nottinghamshire. No case has been detected in the UK so far and experts say that the risk of an outbreak is very low. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the West Nile virus has been endemic to Africa and West Asia for decades, the climate change-induced warming up of Europe has brought the virus to the continent as well. The UK is the latest European country to report the virus. The West Nile virus is primarily found in birds. Mosquitoes that bite birds get the virus and occasionally transfer it to humans with their bites. As much as 80 per cent of human infections cause no symptoms and severe infections are rare. In severe cases, encephalitis can occur and can lead to brain damage and even death. While the virus is not contagious among humans, it can spread from an infected person via blood transfusion, organ transplants, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Climate change brings West Nile virus to UK The confirmation of the West Nile virus in the UK follows warnings that carriers of vector-borne diseases, such as dengue and yellow fever, are moving northwards from their traditional areas due to climate change. Dr Arran Folly, an arbovirologist at the APHA and head of the surveillance programme that found the virus in the UK told Guardian that the discovery is 'part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas'. The warming up of a place makes it likelier for the West Nile virus to grow. At 15*C, it takes many months for the virus to reach infectious level, which is much more than a mosquito's average lifespan. At 30*C, however, the same process can happen in two-three weeks, which is within a mosquito's average lifespan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an article for The Conversation, Dr Paul Hunter noted that while the exact route of West Nile virus to the UK is not clear, it is believed that the virus may have arrived via migratory birds infected elsewhere. So far, conditions ripe for a West Nile virus outbreak in the UK have not been reached but that could change if temperatures keep rising. 'For a local outbreak to occur, there would need to be a critical mass of infected birds and mosquitoes, with enough warm weather to sustain multiple cycles of transmission. So far, that hasn't happened in the UK. But climate change could alter the equation. With rising global temperatures and longer, hotter summers, the conditions that allow viruses such as West Nile to spread may become more common in the UK,' noted Hunter, a specialist in medical microbiology and virology. As temperatures are rising across the world, diseases are being reported in places with no history of that disease. The West Nile virus in the UK is just one such example. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Thibodaux infant's skull fractured in fight, two arrested
THIBODAUX, La. (WGNO) — A mother and daughter from Thibodaux have been arrested after their fight allegedly resulted in an infant's skull being fractured on Tuesday, May 27. According to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to Karla Drive on report of a domestic disturbance at the home of Disheekia McDowell. West Nile virus detected in New Orleans There, they say they learned that two women, identified as Disheekia McDowell and Jada McDowell, were reportedly fighting and hitting each other with household items. During the fight, Jada allegedly picked up her infant daughter while continuing to fight Disheekia, resulting in the infant being injured. Investigators say a local hospital determined that the child had a skull fracture, and arrest warrants were then obtained for both women. They have been booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on one count each of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment and second-degree cruelty to juveniles. Bail was set at $160,000 for Disheekia and $105,000 for infant's skull fractured in fight, two arrested NOPD searching for 3 suspects accused of trying to steal a car Toyota Tundra recall: Over 400K vehicles affected New Iberia man arrested after chase across parish line ends in crash New York Times agrees to license its material for Amazon's AI Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Five arrested for alleged child sex crimes in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes
ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (WGNO) — On Thursday, May 29, the Covington Police Department announced that five men have been arrested for alleged child sex crimes in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes. According to the CPD, the arrests were the result of the Northshore Internet Crimes Taskforce. They targeted people allegedly attempting to solicit minors on online platforms as summer vacation was beginning. Reward increased to $50k per remaining 2 fugitives still on the run Police say these individuals were arrested and face the following charges: 40-year-old Mathew Miller, of Covington: computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with juveniles. 34-year-old Kyle Baltrukevich, of Pearl River: computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with juveniles. 43-year-old Stephen Shirley, of Mandeville: pornography involving juveniles and nonconsensual disclosure of private information. 57-year-old Michael Dore, Hammond: computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with juveniles. 39-year-old Jason Stevens, of Independence: computer-aided solicitation of a minor, indecent behavior with juveniles, and unlawful use of a social networking website by a sex arrested for alleged child sex crimes in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes DOJ cutting American Bar Association access to judicial nominees Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT: The EV Revolutionizer West Nile virus detected in New Orleans Sunshine briefly peeks through ahead of Friday's Severe Weather Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
West Nile virus detected in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in New Orleans, prompting officials to take action. According to officials with the City of New Orleans, the results come from the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board. They say West Nile cycles between wild birds and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. While West Nile is reportedly asymptomatic for most people who contract it, it can cause headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, and in rare cases, severe illness, which is especially possible for the immunocompromised and those over 60 years old. Man arrested, accused of hitting police vehicles in St. Claude area In response to the detection of West Nile, the NOMTRCB will spray for adult mosquitoes in the following areas from 7:45 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, May 29: Lakeview and West End bounded by Allen Toussaint Boulevard, Interstate 610, Bellaire Drive and the Orleans Canal. Lake Shore and Lake Vista bounded by Lakeshore Drive, Allen Toussiant Boulevard, Breakwater Drive and Beauregard Avenue. City Park bounded by Allen Toussaint Boulevard, Zachory Taylor Drive, Marconi Drive and Bayou St. John. Additional spraying will be done on May 30 from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. in the areas of Iberville, South 7th Ward, the French Quarter bounded by N. Claiborne Avenue, Interstate 10, Canal Street, the Mississippi River and Franklin Avenue. Citizens are also asked to help with the mosquito problem by dumping out any standing water on their property and taking the following protective measures for themselves: Use repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow product instructions when using repellents. Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. Use air conditioning or sit in the air stream of a fan when possible. Ensure window and door screens are in good condition to keep mosquitoes out of your Ioniq 5 XRT: The EV Revolutionizer West Nile virus detected in New Orleans Sunshine briefly peeks through ahead of Friday's Severe Weather New Orleans Saints' head coach Kellen Moore discusses second week of OTAs Transportation Department launches website to encourage Americans to hit the road Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
West Nile Virus detected in Davidson County for the first time in 2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Public Health Department's Pest Management Team has reported the presence of West Nile Virus in Davidson County. The team said that the virus was detected in a mosquito pool; the trap for the pool had been established off Neelys Bend Road in Nashville's Madison neighborhood. This is the first detection of West Nile Virus this year with no human cases reported so far in 2025. The Metro Public Health Department said that last year, there was a high level of virus detected in area mosquito pools. The department first started monitoring the mosquito traps for the 2024 season at the end of April. AUGUST 2024 | Davidson County health officials monitor mosquitoes for West Nile virus In all, the Pest Management team captured and tested more than 39,000 mosquitos across 32 Davidson County sample sites. By mid-October, the virus had been detected at every sampling site in the county. 'Keeping our community safe and healthy means monitoring mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus and informing those who might be at risk,' Dr. Sanmi Areola, Metro Public Health Department's Director of Health said. 'Education is a big part of our work, ensuring that we know that we all have a roles to play in reducing breeding of mosquitoes and preventing bites so that those who are at risk know what they can do to protect themselves and their families.' The Pest Management Team revisits impacted sites and sets additional traps, monitoring standing water and applying larvicide when they see mosquito larvae. However, the department does not spray to kill adult mosquitos. The health department sends fliers to residences in impacted areas with steps to protect against mosquito bites and reduce standing water, which is where mosquitos can lay eggs. There are some other steps you can take, including: Limit time outdoors at dusk and nighttime, when mosquitos are most active. Wear a mosquito repellant approved for use by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including products that contain Picardin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus and DEET. The Environmental Protection Agency has a tool that helps you find the right repellant for you; you can find that tool here. Wear shoes, socks, long-sleeve shirts and pants when mosquitos are the most prevalent. Additionally, any clothing you wear should be lightly colored and made of tightly-woven material to keep mosquitos away from the skin. Any pant legs should be tucked into shoes or socks and collars should be buttoned. Make sure any windows and doors have screens that are in good repair. ⏩ The department encourages you to check things like bird baths, tires or other backyard toys and trim overgrown vegetation to discourage breeding. If you would like a free backyard inspection, you can call the Metro Public Health Department's Pest Management Team at 615-340-5660 to learn about places on your property where mosquitos could easily breed and multiply. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
