The FYI on West Niles Virus

The Center for Disease Control reported that, as of August 14^th, so far this year 43 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 693 cases in people:  26 deaths, 406 were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 287 (41%) were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease.  This is reported to be the highest number of cases by the second week of August since West Niles was first found in the US in 1999.  Over 80 percent of the cases have been reported from six states (Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and California) and almost half of all cases have been reported from Texas.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that you can do things to help prevent your family from contracting this disease.

Prevention:  use mosquito repellent when outside, eliminate standing water in your yard, repair window and door screens so those pesky mosquitos don’t get in, and support community based mosquito control.  Community spraying has kept the mosquito population down in my area in Florida and has probably been largely responsible for keeping Florida off the list of highly effected stateseven though we are arguable the mosquito capital of the world.

Symptoms:  If you become infected with West Nile virus, you probably will experience no signs or symptoms.  Most people experience no symptoms. There is a chance (20% of infected population) that you may experience minor symptoms, such as fever, body aches, skin rash, swollen lymph glands, eye pain, fatigue and mild headache. There is still no need for concern.  Mild symptoms of West Nile virus infection generally go away on their own.  However, some people (about 1% of infected population) develop a life-threatening illness that includes inflammation of the brain.  Severe signs and symptoms include a severe headache, disorientation, stiff neck, high fever, muscle jerking, loss of coordination, convulsions, pain, partial paralysis or sudden weakness.  Serious infection may also include infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), inflammation of the spinal cord (West Nile poliomyelitis) and acute flaccid paralysis.  If you or your children are experiencing any of these symptoms you should seek immediate medical attention. Adults over the age of fifty, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for developing the more serious infection.  So if your child has an autoimmune disorder like my son, they will be at greater risk.  Just be aware and watch for symptoms if they are bitten by a mosquito.   Early medical treatment is key to recovery.

How It Spreads: Typically, West Nile virus spreads to humans via infected mosquitoes. You can't get infected by touching or kissing a person with the virus.  Most West Nile virus infections occur during warm weather, when mosquito populations are active. 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.  There has been reports of possible transmission of the virus from mother to child during pregnancy or breast-feeding, but these have been rare and not conclusively confirmed.