My name is Maisy and I am 8½ years old.  I am not a microbiologist but my grandmother has been teaching me and helping me learn more about Nanobugs for years.  She started NanoBuGs inc. to help you and me learn more about them.  I am going to camp on Sunday so I want to learn how to avoid the West Nile Virus.  Maybe this message will help other kids and/or parents too.  Here’ s the scoop:  West Nile Virus infection can give you a bad headache, stomachache and a fever. It sure isn’t what I want to get!  West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes which bite infected birds and then bite us.  So, to avoid the nasty West Nile Virus, we need to avoid mosquitoes.  That is easy.  Just put on 35% DEET bug repellant if you are in the woods or playing outdoors in the evening. (Read the label on the bug spray to make sure it has DEET in it.) Mosquitoes like to breed in water so around home you should eliminate breeding areas like old car tires and containers that hold rainwater.  Look around your yard because the mosquitoes are looking for a place to call home. 

To help you remember him, West Nile Virus says,” I’ll get to you any way I can, from infected bird to mosquito, to man.”   Check out Maisy's video blog on this topic:   http://www.nanobugs.com/activities/videos/maisy-west-nile-video.php

Have a great Summer and stay away from the West Nile Virus!