Mosquito Populations Are Expected to Flourish in Flood Areas
Thu Sep 08 2005 22:30:45 ET
The incessant buzz is just beginning.
Breeding in standing water throughout the Gulf Coast, voracious mosquitoes will soon inundate some areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, landing at a rate of up to 200 a minute on exposed arms and legs, the LOS ANGELES TIMES claims on Friday.
A few will carry West Nile virus or other diseases, experts say, but most simply will be a maddening nuisance to relief workers and evacuees sleeping outdoors or in damaged homes.
In inland areas, away from the worst storm damage, the problem could be just as bad.
``You have people sitting out on the porch, sitting out in the yard,' said Jerome Goddard, chief entomologist for the Mississippi Department of Health. ``You can't stay in the house, because its too hot -- the power's off. ... You can't cover up, because you burn up.'
Friday's forecast for the Mississippi state capital, Jackson, is 92 and sunny, with 50 percent humidity.
``You just want to scream,' Goddard said.
Developing...
The Drudge Report does not own, operate or maintain DrudgeReportArchives.com and is not responsible for it in any way.