Katrina could create West Nile outbreaks

[mcscajun]

by SCOTT DYER
[e-mail]
Advocate staff writer

As East Baton Rouge Parish cleans up after Hurricane Katrina, city-parish officials are concerned that the next big threat may come from West Nile virus.

(snip)

"These mosquitoes weren't blown away by Hurricane Katrina. Just like you and me, they sought shelter," Yates said.

But now that the storm has passed, the mosquitoes are hungry. "They'll be coming out tonight to bite," Yates said.

Many parish residents without electrical power will be sleeping with open windows, and that could provide extra access for the southern house mosquitoes, which feed mostly at night, Yates said.

http://2theadvocate.com/stories/083105/new_nile001.shtml

[atommom]

1. And all that standing water will be a reproductive heaven for the

mosquitoes. Sounds like it could be one of many serious health issues down there.

[zanne]

2. That's what I worry about the most.

No water, no electricity, little food, crowded conditions, standing water. This is a recipe for disease. I also wonder about all the animal corpses that are just laying around or floating in the water. This is horrible.

[HereSince1628]

3. Well, all kinds of water related illness.

You know they will bring in aircraft to spray for mosquitoes.

I'm just as afraid of waterborne pathogens that are in the sewage polluted water.

And then there are the nasties that invade wounds.