Should We Worry About West Nile Virus?
Mosquitoes are prevalent right now. The local news channel said West Nile Virus was found nearby. Should we worry about West Nile Virus?
While caution is always advised, consuming yourself with fears of West Nile Virus (WNV) is ridiculous!
News stations breed fear. They are not just reporting the news, they are intentionally feeding your angst so that you will 'need' to keep watching them. It activates the same areas of the brain as addictions do - and it compels you to keep watching, keep getting scared, and continue to wring your hands at the latest, greatest threat. All the while plugged into the 'news' which is intent on scaring you to feed the cycle (and sell ads too...).
If there isn't much going on in the current news cycle, look to local news to create a fear-based 'Breaking News' about something that happens every year with little or no threat. Perfect example is the once a year scary threat of West Nile Virus. But have no fear, Greenbug controls mosquitoes!
Yes, WNV exists, and yes, you would rather not get it. Just like you would rather not have a cold. WNV is an interesting virus as it jumps from humans to animals regularly (and it really does - not just because someone told you it did!). About 1% of those with WNV develop issues (and 1% of those are serious), yet more than 80% of people infected with West Nile Virus show no symptoms whatsoever.
In perspective, tens of thousands of people die each year from the flu. In a news cycle, the flu season is just a part of life while they push you to get a vaccine. We've dealt with the flu every year of our lives and it is a hard sell to push it as 'Breaking Worrisome Health News' - we won't buy that because we know too much.
West Nile Virus? It will rear it's ugly head every year but it is nothing to waste your time fearing. Have a bottle of Greenbug for People/Pets handy and you have eliminated the fear completely! Greenbug controls mosquitoes so you can lay your fears of West Nile Virus to rest!
