College Sophmore Describes Symptoms of West Nile Virus

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The Proliferating West Nile Virus Can Pose A Threat Due To Its Resistance Against Treatment

The West Nile (WN) virus is a serious illness that is thought to have originated from Eastern Africa. This virus was indigenous to Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia but has been spreading to other parts of the country lately. The virus is transferred from birds to mosquitoes, and these mosquitoes can then infect other animals by biting them. The WN virus continues to cause harm and can become a major problem to both animals and humans unless action is taken.


The Virus Can Have a Wide Range of Symptoms in Infected People


The reason that the virus needs to be controlled and eliminated is because it can elicit serious, mild, or no symptoms from the host. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list some serious symptoms such as high fever, headache, coma, muscle weakness, vision loss, and paralysis. Serious symptoms are relatively rare in people infected with the WN virus because only 1 in 150 people experience them. Milder symptoms occur in about 20% of infected people and can range from fever, headache, nausea, body aches, to vomiting. The WN virus is unique since 80% of infected people show no symptoms at all. Since 1999, the number of cases of WN virus has increased on a large scale, but the number of recorded cases do not account for all WN virus infections because a majority of infected people never find out they have it.

These symptoms are experienced by many people around the country and world. Marie Wagner, a sophomore at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, was infected by the WN virus and was lucky enough to only have mild symptoms:

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There is No Treatment or Vaccine Yet for the Virus

A lot of research is being done to find an effective vaccine, but the results continue to be inadequate. The virus is able to quickly adapt to different experimental treatments, rendering potential cures ineffective before they can eliminate the virus. This virus resembles many other common ones in that it can spread quickly and survive for prolonged periods of time as long as it is attached to the host, thus engaging in a parasitic relationship.

Brenda Fredericksen, a biological researcher and professor at the University of Maryland, researches the WN virus in order to determine why it blocks the experimental host treatments. Like many others in the field, she attempts to determine how viruses function and how to eradicate it.  In an interview, she explains how the virus is able to evade antiviral response:



Fredericksen describes how interferons could be used in their recombinant form to counteract the WN virus as a possible method for treatment. Research has been conducted on interferons but the results are inconclusive because only a few studies show that people who receive interferon actually benefit in comparison to those who do not receive the interferon. Research is still being conducted in order to find a functional treatment, but it may or may not be produced on a mass scale depending on the cost of production and on how widespread and dangerous the severity of the disease is.

The Virus can be Prevented through Mosquito Control and Public Education

Since no cure currently exists, it is imperative that the public know about the virus and understand the implications on their health if infection occurs. Since the virus is spread by mosquitos, effective control methods should be taken in order to minimize contact with the insects and decrease their population. By doing so, contact with the virus will decline and there will be a smaller chance of getting infected with the WN virus. In order to be successful in controlling the spread of WN virus and mosquitoes, it is important to know specific information and precautions that have to be taken for the safety of the people.

Mosquitoes are the major carriers that transmit it to humans, but only certain species of mosquitoes have the virus in select regions. Therefore, knowing which species are responsible for “bridging” the virus to humans is crucial for taking the appropriate actions regarding pesticide application. The breeding sites of these mosquito species also need to be known so that they do not spread into human-populated areas and create an outbreak. In addition to mosquito control, people should also know what WN virus is, what common symptoms are, and what they should do if they think they have it. If severe symptoms of WN virus are observed, it is highly advised to seek medical attention. If only mild symptoms are seen, then the virus will probably be eradicated from the body in a matter of some days.

Currently, there is no effective treatment or vaccine that works best for the WN virus. Because of this, caution must be taken and the public should be alert and informed about what WN virus is and how it can be acquired. As technology advances, breakthroughs will be made in virology and the West Nile virus will be understood much more than it is today. It is only a matter of time until this virus becomes a thing of the past and is no longer a threat.

Qik - Why did you choose your topic? by Julia E

UMD Freshmen Express Their Opinions on iPads and Blended Learning

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Digital Divide and Participation Gap Continue to be Prevalent in America

Digital Divide still is eminent in rural areas of America

Internet access and users have increased tremendously since the start of the 21^st century, but there still are a significant amount of people who do not have their own computers and have to rely on alternate ways to access the internet. In an article on NBC News, Sarah Butrymowicz talks about how many people residing in rural areas of the US still do not have their own computers because of their social class and lack of resources. At Colorado Edison School in Yoder, Colorado for example, 25 – 30% of students do not have internet access at homes.

            In urban areas, there are as many computers as there are students and so there is not much digital divide in these areas. One would assume that almost everyone in America has their own computer and access to the internet, but this is not true because there are a lot of minorities and lower social classes, as Kevin Guidry stated in Digital Divide or Participation Gap? Will Mobile Affect It? Digital divide is prevalent in other areas in addition to rural areas today. It all depends upon social class, income, and environmental factors.

            The Participation Gap remains diverse among various age groups

           

            There continues to be different cohorts that utilize the internet differently according to their experience and knowledge. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, many app users are skeptical about whether or not they should keep apps on their mobile devices because they do not want third parties to track them. Privacy of data is a major concern for mobile device users who are technology literate. However, mostly young adults from ages 18-24 are deleting and avoiding applications compared to older adults and seniors. This shows how knowledge and privacy concerns affect how users utilize internet and applications.

            The surveys and data collected by the Pew Internet and American Life Project delineate how the younger generation is more tech-savvy and knows a lot of different ways to use the Internet and technology of the like as compared to the older generation who use technology for other purposes. As Guidry stated, the participation gap shows a big difference between people who have computers and people who do not. Both digital divide and participation gap remain prominent in today’s America.

            Digital Divide and Participation Gap will both decrease within the next couple of years

            As technology and society advances, more people will become accustomed to technology and will become technology literate. They will be able to understand many of the beneficial uses of the Internet and will know how to use it to their advantage. Privacy issues will also become better addressed because action will be taken in order to limit the data that third parties can see. In the next 3-5 years, the economy should also improve which would generate more income for Americans. This in turn would lead to families being able to buy their own computers and gain internet access which would decrease digital divide. As long as people have computers or mobile devices and can learn more about how to use them for their own needs, the participation gap will also decrease.

Cellular Data Tracking: Effective or Invasive?

Ever since President George W. Bush signed the Patriot Act into law after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, law enforcement agencies have been able to monitor and track digital information from cell phones throughout the nation. There has been a lot of controversy over this because the people's privacy can easily be invaded at any time and the concept of “privacy” just does not exist anymore. Federal officials are often demanding data information from cell phone carriers so that they can ensure domestic tranquility and defend the US, but many people still believe that the law should not have the power to be able to spy on individuals.

The Patriot Act provides many benefits to federal officials such as being able to track and locate criminals, suspects, and fugitives. The primary goal of the act was to protect the nation from terrorist attacks, and so far the country has been secure. Due to cell phone data provided by carriers, law enforcement has been very efficient at protecting citizens from threats. It can also be seen as a good thing that federal officials force cell phone companies to provide them with data information because this way they are able to keep a tab on all cell phone users and can more efficiently monitor criminal activity and suspicious behavior. However, the ability for federal officials to spy on peoples’ lives comes with a price.

There are many disadvantages with law enforcement forcing cell phone companies to provide their customers’ data. The most obvious problem here is that officials can know where an individual is at any time. They can look up any information they want about an individual and can invade their privacy without a warrant and without the individual ever knowing. Peter Maass of ProPublica does a great job of explaining how a cell phone should actually be called a "tracker" because it keeps track of a cell phone user and this information can be accessed by a stranger with no affiliation to the user. Another disadvantage is that advertising and marketing companies can exploit this resource by tracking and discovering what consumers like to do and where they usually go. Since federal officials now have the right to access data information, no one will have legitimate privacy unless they are far away from phones and other trackers.

Given the advantages and disadvantages, it might be good that federal officials are demanding data information from cell phone companies. It is true that privacies are invaded, but there is more security and ease-of-mind that the nation will be safer because threats can be more easily terminated and crime can drastically decrease due to the resources that federal officials now possess. Officials mean well when they want data information, and they are not using it only to invade others’ lives. If the Patriot Act had not been signed into law, many conflicts and crimes may have occurred that would have changed the present state of the US, but thankfully federal officials have been doing their jobs and will hopefully continue to protect this great nation.