PANNA: Announcement

The first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the U.S. was reported in 1999 in New York State. By Summer of 2003, mosquitoes carrying the virus had traveled across the United States, resulting in WNV activity in 46 states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local agencies responded to the first outbreaks with plans that relied heavily on spraying adulticides (pesticides intended to kill adult mosquitoes), a method that mounting evidence suggests may do more harm than good. While a highly visible spraying program gives the impression that “something is being done,” studies show that spraying for adult mosquitoes is ineffective, may even increase mosquito populations by decimating mosquito predators, and that the pesticide spraying may represent more of a public health hazard than WNV itself. CDC and some local agencies are finding that WNV control plans that emphasize public education, monitoring, removal of standing water and application of larvicides are much more effective than the spraying of adulticides.

However, adulticide spraying does continue in many areas of the country, putting people at risk of exposure to pesticides linked to acute toxicity and long term human health effects such as cancer, birth defects and endocrine disruption.

Below are resources about WNV, the implications of adulticide spraying and how community members can ensure that local agencies adopt sound plans to protect public health from the dangers of pesticides as well as WNV.

General information

General updates, resources and action you can take: Beyond Pesticides provides excellent resources on West Nile Virus and the dangers of pesticides, including fact sheets, activist kits, model WNV response plans and organizing assistance.

West Nile Virus search results from our Web site.

Information on specific pesticides and poisoning symptoms: PANNA’s Online Pesticide Database provides complete pesticide toxicity and regulatory information searchable by product or chemical, and a poisoning symptoms database.

“Learning from West Nile,” PAN Updates Service (PANUPS), September 15, 2003.

WNV information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Detailed information on spread of WNV, from Cornell University Environmental Risk Assessment Program, current through 2002 with a few updates and many excellent medical and scientific links.

 

Mosquito Repellents

DEET Facts

Alternatives to DEET

 

In California

Organizing advice and links with local organizations working on pesticide issues from Californians for Pesticide Reform.

Download the report: “Overkill: Why Pesticide Spraying for West Nile Virus in California May Cause More Harm than Good” by Pesticide Watch.

California Department of Health Services Updated WNV information for California.(Note: this site advocates personal use of DEET and permethrin which PANNA does not recommend.)

Health Effects of Pesticides Commonly Used for West Nile Virus Adulticide Spray Programs

Malathion. Acute, or short-term, effects of exposure to malathion and other organophosphorus pesticides (e.g. naled, chlorpyrifos) include: headaches, nausea, dizziness, salivation, tearing, diarrhea, muscle weakness, incoordination, abdominal cramps, blurred vision, pupil constriction, depressed respiratory system, or in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms or exposure in children may be different. For example, seizures and changes in mental status may be more common in children.

See also:

Malathion Factsheet by Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides.

Malathion search results from our Web site.

PANNA’s Online Pesticide Database.

Environmental Protection Agency's Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisoning, 5th edition, U.S. EPA, Chapter 4.

Pyrethroids. Because of the similarities to crude pyrethrum, pyrethroids may act as dermal or respiratory allergens. Acute, or short-term, effects of exposure to pyrethroids include: irritation of skin and eyes, irritability to sound or touch, abnormal facial sensation, sensation of prickling, tingling or creeping on skin, numbness, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, fatigue. In severe cases fluid in the lungs and muscle twitching may develop. Seizures may occur.

Effects of long-term or chronic exposure to pyrethroids include: possible cancers, disruption of the human endocrine system causing possible adverse effects to childhood development and development of sexual organs. Resmethrin is a known developmental or reproductive toxin. Phenothrin (synonym sumithrin) is a suspected endocrine system disruptor.

Pyrethroids commonly used for WNV include:
Resmethrin
Phenothrin (synonym sumithrin)
Permethrin

See also:

Pyrethroid search results from our Web site.

PANNA’s Online Pesticide Database.

Environmental Protection Agency's Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisoning, 5th edition, U.S. EPA, Chapter 8.