According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there were more serious cases of West Nile Virus in 2005 than in previous years, and that trend is expected to continue. There were nearly 100 deaths attributed to the disease in each of the last two years.
Generally, about four out of five people who get a West Nile virus infection never show any symptoms. One in five comes down with West Nile fever which can cause flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain or stiffness). Fewer than 1 percent of all cases evolve into the most serious form that can cause high fevers, disorientation, tremors and even paralysis as it infects the brain and nervous system. None the less, anyone infected runs the risk of being among the unlucky 1 percent.
Last year the West Nile season started in May and kept going through November — coinciding with the many hatches of mosquitoes found throughout the country. The virus is spread, predominantly, by a bite from an infected mosquito. While nearly one-third of the cases reported last year were in California, other focal points included Illinois, Texas and Louisiana. While no state is without risk, CDC information suggests that people living in states with low populations may be at greater risk of getting the virus — South Dakota reports the highest likelihood followed closely by Nebraska and North Dakota.
Recommendations?
Since it's virtually impossible to remove mosquitoes from the landscape, the CDC recommends anyone spending time on outdoor jobsites take the following precautions:
- Do not apply pump or aerosol products directly to the face to avoid contact with eyes and mouth
- Follow label instructions
- Wear protective clothing when working outdoors where mosquitoes are biting
- Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants
- Spray clothing with repellent — biting mosquitoes can penetrate many think fabrics
- Do not apply repellent to skin that is covered by tight-fitting clothing
(EDITOR'S NOTE — While West Nile Virus puts your outside sales staff and customers at risk, it also presents opportunities for additional sales in protective outer wear and an assortment of repellents.)
Report says cordless tools decrease accidents, injuries
Using cordless tools reduces slips, trips and falls, helping reduce employers' insurance costs and protecting workers' safety, according to a recent report from the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc.
Workers' compensation costs are rising, driven largely by medical care and payments for lost wages when injuries occur. Contractors can control their costs, protect their employees, and keep them at work by reviewing workplace environments for safety concerns. These reviews decrease the likelihood of slips, trips and falls, which account for 20 percent of all workers' compensation claims. According to the report, "cordless tools . . . reduce the incidences of tripping over cords and contribute to decreased frequency of accidents."
