Rockport Texas - The History, Legends & Lore 1st Printing | Page 34

Enter the Mosquito! LORE: Mosquitoes can fly up to 1.5 miles per hour. WNV, or West Nile Virus, made its way into the U.S. in 1999. By the end of 2003 there were over 1400 cases of West Nile infections that resulted in nearly 600 deaths. In Texas it is primarily carried by Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, but WNV has been found in more than 60 different species of mosquitoes. Fortunately, 80% of those infected with WNV never show any symptoms. Recomended ‘Repellants’ are the chemical ‘Deet’ and the more natural ‘Citronella’. LORE: This is the Proboscis - two sharp blades for cutting their way into your flesh (much like serrated knives) surrounding a pair of tubes. One tube is for sucking up the blood, while the other drips a blood thinning chemical into the wound to keep the blood flowing. LORE: A mosquito’s wings beat from 300 to 600 times a second. West Nile Virus Symptoms: Severe headaches Fever Nausea and vomiting Disorientation Chills Muscle aches, pain, stiffness, or all three 33