Image-File, Valley Publishing

Concha Melendez, Director of the Vector Control in the City of Sunland Park, confirmed that mosquitoes that were trapped at the end of June have tested positive for a new viral threat. As if we didn't have enough to contend with, in West Nile Virus.

Melendez indicated that tests came back from Austin indicating that western equine encephalitis (WEE) was found to be carried by those mosquitoes.

The western equine encephalitis virus is a member of the family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. (Alphaviruses are RNA-containing viruses that cause a wide variety of mosquito-transmitted disease. Alphaviruses of importance in the United States are eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), western equine encephalitis (WEE), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE).)

There have been 639 confirmed cases of (WEE) in the U.S. since 1964. Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to frank encephalitis, coma and death. Even when not fatal (WEE) produces mild to severe neurologic deficits in some survivors.

There is reason to believe that once in the area it is likely to spread. There is no certainty that mosquitoes that carry (WEE) are not in all parts of the Upper Valley, El Paso, Cd. Juarez and Las Cruces. Therefore, with the reapperance of West NIle Virus in addition to this new viral threat it is essential that all persons, in all areas, protect themselves and are vigilant for mosquitoe breeding grounds.

Unfortunately, there are no licensed vaccine for human use nor is there any effective therapeutic drug.

The best prevention is prevention. Also, it is suggested that if you have mild flu-like symtoms; take it seriously and get plenty of bed rest and drink lots of fluids. The best way to beat these viruses is to take good care of yourself and let the infection pass without any lingering damage.

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Editor, Upper Valley Beacon

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