Thursday, May 27, 2010

West Nile Virus: San Onofre

West Nile Virus is the most prevalent mosquito-borne disease in the United States.

West Nile Virus is NOT going to magically pass over San Onofre. If you're planning on surfing, or being at, San Onofre near dawn or dust, your risk is much higher than at midday.

There is no time of day or night that is guaranteed to be safe. You should apply insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus AT ALL TIMES while at, or near, San Onofre. Apply it to all skin not covered by clothing. It can also be sprayed onto clothing for extra protection. Long sleeves and pants are strongly recommended. You are not in any way "safe" from mosquitoes when you are out in the water. The Great White Sharks at San Onofre don't scare away mosquitoes.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, people infected with WNV can develop a severe illness. Symptoms include: high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Some people infected develop milder symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or skin rash. Some will not have symptoms. West Nile Virus can be a life-altering and even fatal disease.

It is best to dump out water that has been sitting around in items such as buckets, tires, plant saucers, bird baths, pet water bowls and children’s pools. Mosquitoes only need a half inch of standing water to lay eggs. The eggs can hatch in as soon as two days!

Camp Pendleton officials are "taking measures to protect base occupants from WNV" by treating only large bodies of standing water, and they will do so on a 28-day cycle through October. If you take much comfort in this, you are not paying attention. Standing water by showers, bathrooms, drinking fountains, drainage pipes, ditches, etc., will not be treated. Mosquito eggs hatch in only two days, so that leaves about 26 days of virtually no protection, even around large bodies of water on the base.

I'm cautious not to tempt fate by saying "It can't get any worse a San Onofre," but you've got to wonder. And don't think you can hide from the mosquitoes. Most of then will be too small to see, only a few million will be as big as the San Onofre Mosquito (pictured).

16 comments:

louis pastuer IV said...

Sy Esq., dagnabbit just as we thought it was safe to go back in the water, you through this at us.
West Nile virus is deadly, surfboard riders are not immune. Surrounding Bldg. #4 there are pools of stagnent water, home for millions of larvae. Had it not been for you we'd have overlooked it. Thank you, Sy.

The Doc said...

About 48 mill idiots in this country should be given this stuff!

the nurses assistant said...

'The Doc', oh. Okay. Good thinking.

HURRICANE SALLY said...

Sal Geeze hs been hanging at Bldg.#4, right where there's
larvea infested pools of still water. He insists mosquitos do not harm drinkers of Bud Lite. When he departs Old 'Nofre he heads for 'Baby Beach' in the DP Harbor.

I'll be here all week said...

That explains the "buzzed" mosquitos!

Buzzed mosquitos! Get it?

"Geez", I crack myself up.

can't stop laughhing said...

That explains the "buzzed" mosquitos! I crack myself up.

Hmmmm.... I bet you do.

warmonger said...

Please help me. I don't get it. Why are only sharks, larvae, Sea Cucumbers, stingaeays, mosquitos, WN Virus, anything that confuse folk when they go to the seashore.
Next thing Sy Esq. will persuue is hornets an wasps, then Black Widows, and snakes. I'm afraid.

Fart Stinkbetter said...

Just had a great surf at Snail 4,now I'm off to Adells for a furberger and a large order of thighs! GRILL BABY GRILL

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is dangerous stuff! But it doesn't compare to watching Murphy back up the road when he saw Putzel parked in his spot. Dirt and people flying everywhere. That hatchet will never be buried. Putzel's posse of door fixers, pool cleaners, tire changers, and the unemployed chased Murph all the way back to Shorecliffs.

buffy faggott said...

Anon', I saw it. Those two were going at it tooth and nail, actually scrathing and and clawing at each other. Nobody would step in to be a peacemaker.

buffy faggott said...

Anon', I saw it. Those two were going at it tooth and nail, actually scrathing and and clawing at each other. Nobody would step in to be a peacemaker.

ANON' #3 said...

SS DD OW!

ANON' #3 said...

SS DD OW!

Murphy said...

I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore,

and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble

or a prettier shell than ordinary,

whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.

union shop said...

Murphy, shame on you. Return to school and pay attention this time.
There is no excuse for a poor education.

the stump said...

Mr.Carton, you scared the living crappola out of me. I'm never rerurning to that shark infested San Onofre ever.

Moon Phase