Confermed case of West Nile Virus

[mikecc]

Last Tuesday I found a dead Crow in my back yard (West Wareham, MA.)
I called animal control ,They came and took the bird to the state for testing . and just my luck it came back positive for West Nile Virus.
Here is the link to the state to find out (if in Mass) if any reports of the disease have been found in your area.

http://www.state.ma.us/dph/

[Patrick]

Wow, sorry to hear that Mike. This west nile thing is a big problem now. Your best bet is to dress yourself and your family in long sleeves, use repellants and citronella candles. Drain any standing water you have in your yard and advise your neighbors to do the same. Try to stay in at dusk when mosquitoes are most active. West Nile Virus is dangerous but it is survivable. If you feel like you are having a cold, go to the doctor to make sure.

As an outdoorsman, this frightens me a bit but I'd rather have a few mosquitoes than trucks spraying insecticides.

If you really want to get involved against sprayers, you should propose natural ways to combat the mosquitoes instead. Draining all the still water, releasing trout into the freshwater, and dragon flies.
Both are enemies of the mosquito.

Remember, it's just the females that suck the blood... and same thing with mosquitoes.

[JohnR]

Wow - you're an outdoorsman too, eh? An honest to God, wood choppin', raycoon huntin', tent totin' outdoorsman - wow... :P ...And what would you know about women? You chase them as much as you go fishing?

Seriously, this is something to be concerned about - think 100% Bens repellent - just don't plan any kids until 2 months after the skeeter season... Two things I've noticed (and read) - there have been numerous birds found all over southern New England but not much talk aobut those that may have contracted the disease. Second, the talk that has happened about those that have contracted West Nile indicates that it is losing some of it's punch and that otherwise healthy 90% of society may only suffer some simptoms without any real risk of serious illness. The exception being the very young and the elderly. Personally - I try to keep my son indoors because we have mucho mosquitos outside...

[Patrick]

No hunting, my parents don't like guns. I've tried to shown my parents that I am interested in hunting but they aren't. My mom says it's cruel and won't let me go hunting while I live in their house. My dad isn't that against it. He just couldn't take an animal's life.

But hiking, wow, nothing beats a good hike. You just never know when the next turn is an adventure. I do it all. They don't call it the great outdoors for nothing! I miss the camping stuff. It was a blast. Ripping up the mountains on my bike. The fresh air, the nature, the smell, the animals. It's pretty exhilarating. I miss it though.

I don't have to chase the women. They come chasing me

[Jenn]

Yep....us women folk are darned blood s#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g vicious creatures, be especially careful around the full moon, and DONT EVER PROVOKE US!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hissssssssssssssssss.........rrreerrrrrr.......his s......

ok...anyway....I have the Ben's...(snicker) and I have found it to be the best....its like 99.9% DEET.....so just be careful (you could end up like me!!!) and I wouldnt recommend using it in children........

as for Jonhs comment about HAVING children.....I guess I will have to load up on the stuff!!! HA!HA!