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New product offers protection from West Nile Virus

Submitted by Sharon Watson

From the San Diego County Farm Bureau Newsletter, April 2005

SDCFB's Rural Health and Safety board member, Dick Beckstead, recently announced the availability of a new insect repellant designed to protect humans [and llamas?] from exposure to mosquitoes that might transmit West Nile Virus. BugBand (brand) patented by the University of Florida, is a wrist-band style insect repellant that offers a 15-foot protective shield and up to 120 hours of repellant capability using the primary active ingredient, Geraniol, a thyme extract. The DEET-free product, which also comes in a pump spray, towelettes, and spray-jell form, claims to be more effective than Citronella and products containing 10 percent DEET, and states that it also repels other insects such as houseflies, stable flies, horn flies, head lice, cockroaches, fire ants, gnats, dog ticks, lone star ticks, and no-see-ums. Farm Bureau does not recommend or endorse specific products, but rather shares such information so that members can decide for themselves.

Valley Fever

Edited and adapted from
www.astdhpphe.org/infect/valley.html

Editor’s Note: We hear lots about WNV, and with the heavy rains of this winter, we will all be making a special effort to control the mosquitoes that carry it. Another disease we need to be aware of in California, however, is valley fever. It is endemic in California and does affect—and can kill—camelids. If you have an animal losing weight, off its feed, or displaying lethargy or other behavioral changes, check with your vet.

Valley fever is an emerging and sometimes deadly fungus infection.

·   The valley fever fungus lives in soil and is spread through the air.

·   Farmers, construction workers, and others [like llamas] who engage in activities that disturb the soil are at highest risk for valley fever. People and animals with weak immune systems … can become seriously ill from the infection.

·   Valley fever is treatable with fungus-killing medicines.

What is valley fever?

Valley fever is another name for the sometimes deadly infection coccidioidomycosis. It is called valley fever because the organism that causes it is commonly found in the soil of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America.

Valley fever usually affects the lungs. When it affects other parts of the body, it is called disseminated valley fever.

What is the infectious agent that causes valley fever?

Valley fever is caused by Coccidioides immitis, a fungus. The fungus produces spores that can be inhaled when they get into the air. Spores are hardy forms of the fungus that can live for a long time in harsh environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and drought.

Where is valley fever found?

The valley fever fungus grows naturally in soil in the southwestern United States and in parts of Central and South America.

How do people [and animals] get valley fever?

Valley fever is spread through the air. If soil containing the valley fever fungus is disturbed by construction, natural disasters, or wind, the fungus spores get into the air. Individuals can breathe in the spores and get valley fever. The disease is not spread from individual to individual.

What are the signs and symptoms of valley fever?

About 60% of infected individuals have no symptoms. [If your llama goes off its feed, becomes listless, or exhibits other unusual behavior, you might want to have it checked for valley fever.] A small percentage of infected individuals can develop disease that spreads outside the lungs to the brain, bone, and skin (disseminated disease). Without proper treatment, valley fever can lead to severe pneumonia, meningitis, and even death.

How is valley fever diagnosed?

Valley fever is diagnosed with a blood test or culture.

What is the treatment for valley fever?

Valley fever can usually be treated with fungus-killing medicines.

Is valley fever an emerging infectious disease?

Yes. … Recent natural disasters have triggered a rise in valley fever cases. The central valley of Southern California had a four-year epidemic of valley fever in the early 1990s after a severe drought. Cases of valley fever also increased in individuals exposed to billowing dust released by the January 1994 earthquake in Northridge, California.

How can valley fever be prevented?

There is no vaccine against valley fever.

This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used … as a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider. If you have any questions about the disease described above or think that one of your llamas might have a fungus infection, consult your veterinarian.

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