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July 18, 2005
West Nile
Star Tribune, July 14
This article was about the first west nile case in Minnesota this year. It happened in Wadena County. This is the peak season for west nile, "from mid-July through mid-Septmeber." "Symptoms can include headache, high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and coma." So far this year there has been 25 cases of the west nile from all over the world and one person did pass away from the west nile. "To prevent infection, use mosquito repellant, wearing long sleeves and pants when outside at dawn and dusk, and elmininating potential mosquito breeding grounds, such as old tires or buckets that collect standing water."
I chose this article because I think that it is important to know the symptoms that could occur (even though headaches and things listed above could mean a variety of illnesses). I also think it is important to know how to eliminate risk from the west nile. I guess one way would be to never step outside for the next few months, but I highly doubt anyone is going to go to that extreme. Remember, empty your buckets and things in your yard that is gathering water.