Prevention is Key for West Nile Virus

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The end of August is West Nile Virus season in the UnitedStates and this year has been a bad one with the most reported infections anddeaths from the disease.  By August 30 there were a total of 1,590 cases nationally with 66 deaths, according tothe Center for Disease Control (CDC).  That is a 40% rise in just one week!

 For West Nile Virus, birds are the vector.  Mosquitoes who biteinfected birds can  pass the virus on to humans.  The virus is amplified over the summer in bird populations and hotterthan normal temperatures this summer may be a factor in the increasedcases we are seeing this year.  It is not spread by human-to-humancontact or from other animals to humans.
West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infectedNorthern House Mosquito (Culex pipiens).It was first discovered in 1999 and since that time over 30,000 people havebeen sickened by the disease. According to the CDC, 75% of this year’s serious cases have beenreported from 5 states (Texas, Louisiana, South Dakota, Oklahoma andMississippi) and almost half of all cases have been reported from Texas.  So far this year 34 cases have beenfound in California.
Most people who are bit by West Nile Virus carryingmosquitoes will have no symptoms at all. For the ones who do become ill, the infection is usually mild.  Flu-like symptoms can appear 3-14 daysafter a bite and include:

• Fever
• Aching muscles and head ache
• Swollen lymph glands
• Skin rash

Four out of five people will never know they are infectedand will have immunity for life from West Nile Disease.  But people over age 50 are at thehighest risk for developing severe West Nile Disease.  Healthy, active older adults who spend time working andexercising outdoors can develop severe disease.  Also people who are immune-suppressed or are fighting offother illnesses can get extremely ill with West Nile Virus and even die.
 The severesymptoms include high fever, encephalitis, headache, neck stiffness, visionloss, convulsions and even paralysis.
To diagnose West Nile Virus, the doctor will do a blood testor a cerebrospinal tap to test for antibodies to the virus.  A 2^nd blood test is neededtwo to three weeks later to confirm the diagnosis.
There is no treatment for West Nile infection and there isno vaccine.  All the care issupportive.
Here are some tips to protect against West Nile Virus:

1. Eliminate standing water including flower pots, plastic containers, wading pools, and roof gutters. Fill birdbaths with fresh water at least once a week.  Mosquitoes are aquatic and they must have standing water to develop from egg to adult.
2. Wear light colored clothing, long sleeve shirts or long pants, especially in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.  Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
3. Mosquitoes are attracted to sweat and perfumes. 
4. Use mosquito repellent if outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn.  Sprays and lotions containing DEET are the most effective but use products with 30% or less DEET and for children use 15% or less.  Oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant-based repellent is also effective.  Repellents don’t kill mosquitoes; they just make you less attractive.
5. Sonic repellants do not work but smoke pots and citronella candles can help.

Remember this: The chance of becoming ill from West Nile Virus is quite low.  But if you are older and will beoutdoors in a mosquito-infested area, make sure you protect yourself withclothing and chemical repellants. There is no treatment so prevention is key.