This? I ain't movin' to Texas.
Posted on 08/18/2005 8:32:16 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
An outbreak of dengue fever in Mexico has health officials here in Texas keeping a watchful eye across the border.
More than 100 people have been infected in the southern state of Morelos. Several people have the hemorrhagic strain of the disease that causes bleeding and, if untreated, possibly death. To prevent the spread of the disease, health workers need to enlist the help of the residents.
Oswaldo Zambrano, dengue fever prevention program director, says the enemy lives among them. He warns residents that they are providing a safe haven for the mosquitoes that carry dengue fever.
Many homes have standing water, which provides a perfect breeding ground for infected mosquitoes. A chemical that is safe for human and animal consumption must be mixed into the water to prevent new infestations.
The movement of people poses another challenge. If someone from an area where there's been an outbreak of dengue fever travels to another place, that person can be bitten by mosquitoes in the new location and the infection will spread.
Thus, it is critical to control the disease in every region of Mexico and reach every home during the rainy season. And if you're planning a trip to an area of Mexico where there's outbreak, use mosquito repellant.
Apparently, the Mexican border town dengue outbreaks are a fairly common occurrence.
Dengue is rough, Maui has had a few outbreaks recently.
I had a friend get it in Vietnam, and it sidelined her for many months.
#40 - where is 'monkey man' when you need him?
An outbreak not needed here!
Over here in Florida, we are seeing human cases of West Nile Virus, and the much more ominous EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalopathy).
"It must be miserable being against everything."
I'm pro-life, are you?
I guess he doesn't want to play, tonight:')
LOL
In the Sacramento area, an aerial spraying program is in effect. News reports advised of cases of West Nile virus. Deaths from the disease were also reported but I don't have numbers.
I live in TX, and you are correct. I call it the land of biblical plagues-rabies, fire ants, west nile, chaga's rattlesnakes, hanta, dengue, killer bees, scorpions..and of course, the elusive chupacabra.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some of the things in my litany of Texas plagues. (I gave up using it on yankees years ago-they just wouldn't listen to all the reasons to NOT move to Texas).
Horrible disfiguring incurable diseases from Mexico that lead to instant death. No problem. Bush says we will get cheap lettuce!
oops, I forgot a comma between chaga's and rattlesnakes. Oh, we have VEE (encephalitis) here, too.
We haven't even touched on the famous Mexican two step.
Not everything - just things that suck.
ON THE NET...
CDC.gov: "Dengue Fever & Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever"
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_dengue.htm
This? I ain't movin' to Texas.
Dengue reported in Matamoros (Mexico)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1441294/posts
I believe the Sacramento Bee this weekend said there were 36 confirmed cases. I don't recall how many deaths, if any...
The more amazing thing to me was that they said it could potentially wipe out entire populations of birds, such as the yellow beaked magpie (Not sure of the name - but a magpie). Members of the Corvid family (Ravens, Crows) are apparently also very vulnerable.
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