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News
West Nile Virus
In
an effort to provide our students and their families with the best
possible information regarding West Nile Virus, we are providing
information from the
CDC Fact Sheet - West Nile Virus: What You Need
to Know.
What Is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe
WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares
up in the summer and continues into the fall. This fact sheet contains
important information that can help you recognize and prevent West Nile
virus.
What Can I Do to Prevent WNV?
The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.
-
When
you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)
or Picaridin (KBR 3023) and follow the directions on the
package.
-
Many
mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect
repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or
consider staying indoors during these hours.
-
Make
sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep
mosquitoes out.
-
Get rid
of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower
pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and
replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings
so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on
their sides when they aren't being used.
What Are the Symptoms of WNV?
-
Serious
Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with
WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high
fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma,
tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and
paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological
effects may be permanent.
-
Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who
become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches,
nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on
the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few
days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.
-
No
Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about
4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at
all.
How Does West Nile Virus Spread?
-
Infected Mosquitoes. Most often, WNV is spread by the bite of an
infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on
infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and
other animals when they bite.
-
Transfusions, Transplants, and Mother-to-Child. In a very small
number of cases, WNV also has been spread through blood transfusions,
organ transplants, breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from mother
to baby.
- Not
through touching. WNV is not spread through casual contact such as
touching or kissing a person with the virus.
How Soon Do Infected People Get Sick?
People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after they are
bitten by the infected mosquito.
How Is WNV Infection Treated?
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. In cases with milder
symptoms, people experience symptoms such as fever and aches that pass on
their own, although even healthy people have become sick for several
weeks. In more severe cases, people usually need to go to the hospital
where they can receive supportive treatment including intravenous fluids,
help with breathing and nursing care.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have WNV?
Milder WNV illness improves on its own, and people do not necessarily need
to seek medical attention for this infection though they may choose to do
so. If you develop symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually
severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately. Severe
WNV illness usually requires hospitalization. Pregnant women and nursing
mothers are encouraged to talk to their doctor if they develop symptoms
that could be WNV.
What Is the Risk of Getting Sick from WNV?
People
over 50 at higher risk to get severe illness. People over the age
of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they do
get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.
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.
Risk through medical procedures is very low. All donated blood is
checked for WNV before being used. The risk of getting WNV through
blood transfusions and organ transplants is very small, and should not
prevent people who need surgery from having it. If you have concerns,
talk to your doctor.
Pregnancy and nursing do not increase risk of
becoming infected with WNV.
The risk that WNV
may present to a fetus or an infant infected through breastmilk is still
being evaluated. Talk with your care provider if you have concerns.
What Is the CDC Doing About WNV?
CDC is working with state and local health departments, the Food and
Drug Administration and other government agencies, as well as private
industry, to prepare for and prevent new cases of WNV.
Some
things CDC is doing include:
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Coordinating a nation-wide electronic database where states share
information about WNV
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Helping
states develop and carry out improved mosquito prevention and control
programs
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Developing
better, faster tests to detect and diagnose WNV
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Creating
new education tools and programs for the media, the public, and health
professionals
- Opening
new testing laboratories for WNV
- Working
with partners on the development of vaccines
What Else Should I Know?
If you find a dead bird: Don't handle the body with your bare
hands. Contact your local health department for instructions on reporting
and disposing of the body.
They may tell
you to dispose of the bird after they log your report.
For more information call the CDC public response hotline
at (888) 246-2675 (English), (888) 246-2857 (Espanol), or (866) 874-2646
(TTY)
This information on WNV is also available in multiple languages
through the CDC website at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm
If
you have questions regarding your health, please call TAMU SHS at (979)
458-8345.
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