West Nile Virus
West Nile virus (WNV) is an infection transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. It can be a potentially serious illness. It has been established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall.
West Nile virus is present in areas such as Africa, parts of Asia and the Middle East. It first appeared in the United States in the summer of 1999 and since then has been found in all 48 contiguous states.
WNV can cause a range of symptoms, from very mild to severe. Exposure to mosquitoes where West Nile virus exists increases your risk of getting West Nile virus. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor activites between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. Insect repellant can be used when outdoors in mosquito infected areas.
Symptoms
The period between when you're bitten by an infected mosquito and the appearance of signs and symptoms of the illness ranges from three to 14 days. Signs and symptoms of West Nile fever usually last a few days. They include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Skin rash (occasionally)
- Swollen lymph glands (occasionally)
- Eye pain (occasionally)
- Stiff neck
- Disorientation or confusion
Who Is At Risk?
The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.Being outside means you're at risk. The more time you're outdoors, the more time you could be bitten by an infected mosquito. Pay attention to avoiding mosquito bites if you spend a lot of time outside, either working or playing.
Remove any standing water from your property after any significant rainfall.
Mosquitoes breed around the home and can be reduced significantly. Here are some tips:
- Remove objects that can hold standing water such as tin cans, tires, buckets, or bottles.
- Fill in holes, ditches, or tree trunks with sand or cement.
- Clean house gutters on a regular basis.
- Empty wading pools and bird baths every 4-7 days.
- Chlorinate swimming pools regularly.
- Eliminate collected water on boat and pool covers.
- Avoid over-watering of lawns.
- Fix holes in screens and attach properly to windows.
Take the following steps to prevent WNV:
- Limit outdoor activities from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear clothing that minimizes bare skin.
- Follow the directions on labels for insecticides or repellents.
- Cover arms and legs of children playing near standing water.
- Cover playpens or carriages with mosquito netting.