Letter to the Editor: West Nile Virus

Dear Editor,

West Nile Virus just robbed our community of one of its finest citizens. We all have heard the admonition “protect yourself from mosquitos particularly in the evening hours,” but since West Nile is fairly uncommon, we tend to discount that advice until something like this gets our attention.

Few cases of West Nile have been reported in the Panhandle and the symptoms are similar to a cold or flu at the onset so we tend to get careless. The onset of a freeze in the weather will soon end the life of the lowly mosquito, but a wet spring will bring them on again. We should pay more attention next year.

C.J. Cornelius, M.D.

Sidney