What Is West Nile Virus?
- West Nile Virus is a strain of encephalitis, a serious and sometimes deadly viral disease that can be carried by some mosquitoes.
- First found in the United States in 1999, West Nile Virus has been reported in 46 states.
- In 2007, West Nile Virus was responsible for 115 deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
- Contracting West Nile Virus from a mosquito bite is extremely rare.
Who Is Most at Risk?
People over the age of 50, young children, and those with conditions that compromise the immune system.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
West Nile symptoms usually appear between five and 15 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. In the early stages, these symptoms may include:
- Severe headaches
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disorientation
- Chills
- Muscle aches, pain, stiffness, or all three
If you experience any of these symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito, you should immediately seek medical attention.
Tips for Preventing Mosquito Bites
- Apply an insect repellent with an active ingredient registered by EPA such as DEET or Picaridin.
- Prevent mosquitoes from breeding. (See below)
Deter with DEET
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Prevent Mosquitoes from Breeding
- Empty buckets, cans, and other receptacles to prevent water from collecting.
- Cover wading pools, but take care to drain water that may collect on pool covers.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. When they are not in use, keep pools empty and covered.
- Change water in bird baths every three or four days.
- Keep roof gutters clear and draining properly.
- Report standing water to your local health department.
Take Cover
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeve shirt when outdoors.
- Make sure all of your window screens fit tightly and are in good repair.
Additional Tips
- Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions for use, as printed on the product. Don't allow children to apply insect repellents themselves.
- Monitor the news for information about current insect conditions and community efforts to control insects.
- Watch for public advisories and alerts concerning West Nile Virus. During community pesticide spraying, people with asthma and other respiratory conditions should stay inside, if possible, as spraying may affect these conditions.
- Be aware that increased sightings of dead birds in your area can be a sign that West Nile Virus might be present. (According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you cannot contract West Nile Virus from an intact dead bird.) If you see multiple dead birds in your area, you should immediately contact your local health department. (A comprehensive list of local health departments is available on the CDC's Web site.)
Additional Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm
U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources
http://biology.usgs.gov/
National Pesticide Telecommunications Network
http://ace.orst.edu/info/npic/wnv/
The University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory
http://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/
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