Dengue? Marshes!!

Habebty

Habebty

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
4,536
Location
Norfolk/Suffolk
Visit site
My choice of cruising grounds are getting even more limited !!! :) :)

from the Beeb news website:-

"A species of mosquito known to carry the dangerous West Nile virus has been discovered in Kent and Essex.

Culex Modestus has not been seen in the UK since 1945, but has been found on marshland on the Thames Estuary.

It is now being investigated to find out if it poses any risk to public health.

Oxford University postgraduate student Nick Golding, who discovered the mosquito, said he believes it arrived recently."
 
Mosquitos have always been a problem on Kent & Essex marshes even as far back as 15th Century. Malaria or "Marsh Ague" was a major fear amongst the inhabitants. Farmers in Dengie would often be married several times because incoming wives would not be immune and die prematurely.
Is West Nile fever another form of malaria?
Cynical thought, could this story be an attempt to scupper Boris Airport?
 
DanTribe said:
Mosquitos have always been a problem on Kent & Essex marshes even as far back as 15th Century. Malaria or "Marsh Ague" was a major fear amongst the inhabitants. Farmers in Dengie would often be married several times because incoming wives would not be immune and die prematurely.
Is West Nile fever another form of malaria?
Click to expand...

Yes, I knew about the Ague, but wondered if there was any connection between Dengue Fever (African/French?) and Dengie Flats?


[/QUOTE=DanTribe;3376527]Cynical thought, could this story be an attempt to scupper Boris Airport?[/QUOTE]

Blimey, are the mozzies big enough to bring down a jumbo :) :)

:)
 
Last edited:
Habebty said:
Yes, I knew about the Ague, but wondered if there was any connection between Dengue Fever (African/French?) and Dengie Flats?


[/QUOTE=DanTribe;3376527]Cynical thought, could this story be an attempt to scupper Boris Airport?
Click to expand...

Blimey, are the mozzies big enough to bring down a jumbo :) :)

:)[/QUOTE]

Oops, sorry, I assumed "Dengue" was a mis-spelling of "Dengie", very presumptious of me!:o
I assume the name Dengie comes from the Roman period perhaps Dengae? Bradwell was an important fortification.
In more recent times I doubt the inhabitants knew where the Nile was. Maldon was a long way away and Chelmsford in a far country.

As to the size of mozzies, who knows what genetic mutants are lurking as a result of the nuclear power station?:)
 
DanTribe said:
Blimey, are the mozzies big enough to bring down a jumbo :) :)
As to the size of mozzies, who knows what genetic mutants are lurking as a result of the nuclear power station?:)
Click to expand...
This reminds me of what I was told in Texas a while back when on a business trip. Apparently in Texas they have two sizes of mosquito. One is very small and can crawl through the mesh of a mosquito net. The other sort is so big that it kicks the net down to get at you.
 
West Nile virus sounds fairly nasty and is related to Japanese encephalitis. A few cases seem to have occurred in the UK in people who has been to Canada. They seem to have quite a lot in the US. Apparently, it only gives serious symptoms in only 1% of cases and is fatal in about 3% of those.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top