Introduction
West Nile virus is a virus which infects people, birds and horses among other animals, when bitten by an infected mosquito, and it is characterized by mild symptoms. It has not been confirmed to be communicable, but its effects are very fatal as shown by Jackson (2013). However, the spread of the virus is very rapid in the south and west of the Nile.
Methods of prevention
One of the fundamental techniques that are required in order to prevent the spread of West Nile virus is sensitization through public awareness. Other methods which are derivatives of the first method include the control of larval mosquitoes before they develop into adults. As they grow into adulthood, there is need for application of surveillance on them. Thirdly, the spread can be discouraged by using drainage control system to eliminate the breeding areas of mosquitoes. In order to prevent the mosquitoes, one should spray using insecticides.
Advantages of spraying
Researchers have shown that the spraying method is effective in controlling the adult mosquitoes. It can also be used together with other techniques in order to control the spread of adult mosquitoes (Alireza & Alexander, 2005). Surveys by public health officials show that 90 percent of people in the residential areas prone to habitation by mosquitoes prefer spraying to control the spread of the West Nile virus carrying mosquitoes. As it appears, it is safe to use spraying since it does a mass killing of the mosquitoes to reduce their population. In fact, spraying does no just kill the adult mosquitoes, but also their eggs.
The dangers of the aerial spraying are less than the risks of contacting the disease as studies have shown. In the areas where spraying has been done, the number of cases of the West Nile virus has been found to reduce by large margins, especially in Dallas, Texas (Carruthers, Jackson, & McKinnon, 2005). The health department in Dallas, Texas, argues that spraying is one of the best methods, since it is easy to master, based on simple instruction, rather than the risk and expenses of dealing with the disease after infection (Carruthers, Jackson, & McKinnon, 2005). A few drops of the insecticide are able to kill large numbers of mosquito larva in stagnant waters, which are their inevitable breeding zones.
Dangers of spraying
Researchers have recommended that spraying should only be done by people who are well trained on the use of dangerous chemicals, and are conversant with the basic safety rules. In some cases, spraying has affected the people who are actively involved in it. It has also been reported to have killed pets, birds and livestock. Scientists recommend that the method should be used with full knowledge of the direction of wind, to reduce chances of humans and animals inhaling the spray (Carruthers, Jackson, & McKinnon, 2005).
The other common chemical that is used as a good and effective defense against the West Nile virus is DEET, which is an ingredient in most insect repellents. It stops mosquitoes from smelling their human victims. There have been discoveries of chemicals that can only kill mosquitoes, but are harmless to human beings and livestock. An example of the chemicals that is safe for a person is the DEET. It is applied through the skin, and has no risk of causing cancer or affecting the health conditions of pregnant women.
Obviously, the advantages of spraying are more than its dangers. Actually, it is recommended, but under careful observation of safety rules. It also requires that a dangerous category of pesticides known as organophosphates, which apparently damage the central nervous system upon exposure to large quantities, be avoided accordingly. There are other pesticides that kill mosquitoes when low doses are used, hence they do not interfere with the safety of animals.
References
Alireza, M. J., & Alexander, S. (2005). Inflammatory Disorders of the Nervous System: Pathogenesis, Immunology, and Clinical Management. London: Springer.
Carruthers, K., Jackson, M., & McKinnon, S. (2005). Preventing Infectious Diseases. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Jackson, A. C. (2013). Viral Infections of the Human Nervous System. London: Springer.