With an exotic name and a flurry of media attention following it wherever it goes, the
West Nile virus
has generated fear and uncertainty in many people. When mosquito season is upon us, here’s what you need to know about West Nile virus: what it is, how it spreads, who is at risk, and what you can do to help protect yourself and your family.
West Nile virus can affect humans, birds, mosquitoes, and some other animals. Until 1999, the virus was only common in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. But in the early summer of 1999, the first case of West Nile virus was reported in the US. Now that the virus is here, it’s important to take precautionary steps to protect yourself and your family from becoming infected.
The most common way humans get West Nile virus is from a bite by an infected mosquito. The good news is that around 80% of people who are infected with the virus don’t even get sick. About 20% will experience mild, flu-like symptoms, but one out of every 150 infected people will develop a more severe illness, which can result in coma, paralysis, and even death.
Although all people living in the United States are technically at risk for getting infected with West Nile virus, certain people are more likely to get sick from it than others. People over the age of 50 are at the highest risk for developing the severe form of the disease. And while many people believe that only those in poor health have to worry about West Nile virus, healthy, active adults who spend much of their time outdoors are at increased risk. Relatively few children get the severe form of the disease.
In most areas, the majority of severe cases occur in the late summer and early fall. But the virus can be transmitted year-round in southern climates where the temperatures are milder.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. But you can protect yourself against getting it. The most important thing you can do is to reduce the number of mosquito bites you get. But this doesn’t mean that you have to stay cooped up inside all summer long. If you take the following precautions, your chances of getting infected with West Nile virus will be considerably less:
- Use an insect repellent that contains DEET when you are outdoors. (See below if you are worried about using such products.)
- Be sure to protect yourself or limit your time outdoors during prime mosquito-biting hours, which are dusk to dawn.
- Reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by getting rid of standing water. (Check outside for water left in unused containers, flower pots, bird baths, and gutters).
- Maintain your window and door screens to keep the mosquitoes outside.
Bear in mind that even if your community is taking part in mosquito control activities, it’s important to follow these precautionary steps. The control activities don’t kill every mosquito.
Some people are concerned about using insect repellents containing DEET. In reality, the risk to your health is minimal. There are very few confirmed DEET toxicity cases, and insect repellents that contain DEET are very safe when used according to their directions. As of now, DEET is the most effective and
best-studied
insect repellent available. Some safety tips to remember are:
- You don’t have to put repellent on skin that is under clothing. Cover your exposed skin and your clothes and you will be adequately protected.
- Avoid applying repellent to cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
- Wash the repellent off with soap and water when you come back inside.
- Don’t spray repellent in enclosed areas.
- Don’t spray your face. Instead, apply the repellent to your hands and rub your hands carefully over your face, while keeping your mouth and eyes closed.
- When applying repellent on children, apply it to your own hands and then rub them onto your child. Avoid getting repellent on the child’s hands.
Symptoms of a West Nile virus illness usually develop within two weeks (the incubation period) after the mosquito bite—if at all. (About 80% of cases are asymptomatic.) The mild form of the illness is accompanied with fever, headaches, body aches, and, occasionally, a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. These symptoms usually last only a few days and leave no permanent damage.
Signs of the severe form of the infection include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, coma, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. These symptoms can last several weeks, or may simply never go away. In some situations, death can occur.
If you are concerned that you or a family member might have contracted West Nile virus, you should see your doctor immediately. A health professional can assess your situation and, if necessary, test for and/or treat the infection. Although there is no cure for the disease, supportive treatments can be given while the body fights infection from West Nile virus.
