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West Nile Virus FAQs

Q. What is West Nile Virus?
A. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that is most prevalent in the summer and fall when mosquitoes are most abundant. The virus can infect people, birds, mosquitoes, horses and other mammals.

Q. What are the symptoms of WNV?
A. WNV affects the central nervous system. Symptoms vary.

Q. How does it spread?
A. In a variety of ways, but mostly by infected mosquitoes.

Q. How soon do infected people get sick?
A. People typically develop symptoms between three and 14 days after an infected mosquito bites them.

Q. How is WNV infection treated?
A. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. In cases with mild symptoms, people experience symptoms such as fever and aches that pass on their own. 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, and to prevent secondary infection, such as pneumonia.

Q. What should I do if I think I have WNV?
A. Mild WNV illness improves on its own; people do not necessarily need to seek medical attention for this infection. If you develop symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately. Severe WNV illness often requires hospitalization.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers are encouraged to talk to their doctor if they develop symptoms that could be WNV.

Q. What is the risk of catching WNV?
A. For most, risk is low.

Q. Is there a vaccine against West Nile Virus to prevent people from getting the disease?
A. No.

Q. What can I do to prevent WNV?
A. The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.

Q. How long has West Nile Virus been in the U.S.?
A. It is not known how long it has been in the U.S., but scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe the virus has probably been in the eastern U.S. since the early summer of 1999, possibly longer. Since then, the virus has been found in 45 states and the District of Columbia with the heaviest concentration in Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota. In 2003, there were more than nine thousand reported human cases and 262 deaths attributable to the virus in the U.S.

Q. If I live in an area where birds or mosquitoes with West Nile virus have been reported and a mosquito bites me, am I likely to get sick?
A. No. Even in areas where the virus exists, very few mosquitoes are infected with it. Even if the mosquito is infected, less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite are extremely small.

Q. What is the basic transmission cycle?
A. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood. The virus, which is located in the mosquito's salivary glands, is injected into the human or animal, where it may multiply, possibly causing illness.

Q. Can you get West Nile virus directly from birds?
A. There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. But it's best to avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animals, including dead birds. Use gloves or double plastic bags to place the carcass in a garbage can. Contact your local health department for instructions on reporting and disposing of the body.

Q. Besides mosquitoes, can you get West Nile virus directly from other insects or ticks?
A. Infected mosquitoes are the primary source for West Nile virus. Ticks infected with West Nile virus have been found in Asia and Africa. Their role in the transmission and maintenance of the virus is uncertain. However, there is no information to suggest that ticks played any role in cases identified in the U.S.

Q. How many types of animals have been found to be infected with WNV?
A. Although the vast majority of infections have been identified in birds, WNV has also infected horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels and domestic rabbits.

Q. Can you get West Nile Virus from eating game birds or animals that have been infected?
A. There is no evidence that WNV can be transmitted to people if they consume infected birds or animals. However, in keeping with overall public health precautions, you should always follow procedures for fully cooking meat from either birds or animals.

Q. Can I use an insect repellent containing DEET and sunscreen at the same time?
A. Yes. To protect your health, you can and should use both sunscreen and DEET when you are outdoors. Follow the instructions on the package for the proper application of each product. Apply sunscreen first, followed by repellent. You can also apply insect repellent to your clothing, rather than directly to your skin.

Q. What precautions should I use in applying insect repellent on a child?
A. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Q. How can I find out about mosquito-control programs in my area?
A. Check with local health authorities to see if there is an organization mosquito control program in your area. A source of information for pesticides and repellents is the National Pesticide Information Center, which operates a toll-free information line: 1-800-858-7378.

Also, see:

West Nile Virus Guidelines for Clinicians

Source: Information Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Northern Command


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