Do you feel like bug bait?
It's West Nile virus time. And mosquitoes do like some folks more than others
Ideally, all this research would allow scientists to synthesize the attracters for use in traps. One trap, the Mosquito Magnet, uses a mix of CO2 and octenol, a chemical secreted by livestock, to attract biting insects. But variation of feeding habits among mosquito species makes it difficult to attract them all with one chemical cocktail. For example, scientists will need to study avian attractants to figure out what draws the West Nile virus carriers.
For now, the best solution is to cover up and use a repellent containing DEET, especially between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes feed. And if you're an attracter, there's no harm in trying to see if there's a pattern to the biting. On her next vacation, Terez Rubenstein may want to lay off the lasagna.
West Nile on the move
[Map is not available.]
The virus has already appeared in 26 states this year, and it's only July. By the end of last year (right) it was found in 44.
Bird, animal, or mosquito cases in 2002
Idaho
Maine
N.H.
N.M.
Wash.
Human cases in 2002
Calif.
Colo.
Conn.
Del.
Kan.
Minn.
Mont.
N.J.
N.C.
R.I.
S.C.
S.D.
Vt.
Wyo.
Human cases and deaths in 2002
Ala.
Ark.
D.C.
Fla.
Ga.
Ill.
Ind.
Iowa
Ky.
La.
Md.
Mass.
Mich.
Miss.
Mo.
Neb.
N.Y.
N.D.
Ohio
Okla.
Pa.
Tenn.
Texas
Va.
W.Va.
Wis.
No reported cases in 2002
Alaska
Ariz.
Hawaii
Nev.
Ore.
Utah
Bird, animal, or mosquito cases in 2003
Ala.
Ark.
Colo.
Fla.
Ga.
Ill.
Ind.
Iowa
Kan.
Ky.
La.
Mich.
Minn.
Mo.
Neb.
N.J.
N.Y.
N.C.
N.D.
Ohio
Pa.
S.C.
S.D.
Tenn.
Texas
Va.
Wis.
Wyo.
No reported cases in 2003
Alaska
Ariz.
Hawaii
Calif.
Conn.
Del.
D.C.
Idaho
Maine
Md.
Mass.
Mont.
Nev.
N.H.
N.M.
Okla.
Ore.
R.I.
Utah
Vt.
Wash.
W.Va.
Note: No reported cases in Alaska and Hawaii
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Rob Cady--USN&WR
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