MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. — The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has launched a new initiative to raise awareness of the human toll exacted by West Nile Virus. The “I’m One” program consists of a 30-second public service announcement available through the AMCA Web site, www.mosquito.org.
The “I’m One” program is designed to emphasize that West Nile disease has a human face, suffered by flesh and blood individuals and their families. Its primary element, the public service announcement video, depicts actual West Nile victims and describes the effects of the disease upon their lives. First shown during the AMCA Annual Meeting in March, the video is now available to the public through the AMCA Web site.
The “I’m One” program illustrates that while most people infected with the virus will show mild or no symptoms, there is a chance you will be one whose life is changed forever by this disease. Being one might mean a life challenged by sustained disability or possibly even death.
“Disease statistics are but pale shadows of the very real human experience of this devastating disease. This is not a benign disease, to be taken lightly,” said Joseph M. Conlon, technical advisor to the AMCA. Indeed, since 1999 nearly 28,000 cases of West Nile Virus, with over 11,000 cases of neuroinvasive disease and 1,100 fatalities have occurred in the United States, the world’s most advanced nation.
West Nile Virus is a potentially serious disease primarily carried by birds. Mosquitoes contract the virus when feeding on infected birds; this virus is then transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The AMCA Web site provides tips on how to prevent the virus by reducing your exposure to mosquitoes.
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