OT- Marci- West Nile Virus

[Guest guest]

Hi Marci,

I just got this newsletter and thought you would find it interesting, as well as the group.

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Here is today's Know What topic:

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West Nile Virus

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Overview of West Nile Virus

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 CDC scientists believe the virus has probably been in the eastern U.S. since the early summer of 1999, possibly longer.

Transmission of West Nile Virus

Q. How do people get West Nile encephalitis?

A. People become infected by the bite of a mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus.

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 mosquitoes do carry the virus, very few mosquitoesÑmuch less than 1%Ñare infected. 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. How many types of animals have been found to be infected with West Nile virus?

A. Although the vast majority of infections have been identified in birds, WN virus has been shown to infect horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits.

Q. How does West Nile virus actually cause severe illness and death in humans?

A. Following transmission by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus multiplies in the person's blood system and crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissue.

Prevention of West Nile Virus

Q. Is there a vaccine against West Nile encephalitis?

A. No, but several companies are working towards developing a vaccine.

Q. What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus?

A.

* Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening.

* Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.

* Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.

* Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 35%) provides no additional protection.

* Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children.

* 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.

* Note: Vitamin B and "ultrasonic" devices are NOT effective in preventing mosquito bites.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus

Q. Who is at risk for getting West Nile encephalitis?

A. All residents of areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of getting West Nile encephalitis; persons older than 50 years have the highest risk of severe disease.

Q. What are the symptoms of West Nile encephalitis?

A. Most infections are mild, and symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infection may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and, rarely, death.

Q. What is the incubation period in humans (i.e., time from infection to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile encephalitis?

A. Usually 3 to 15 days.

Testing and Treating West Nile Encephalitis in Humans

Q. I think I have symptoms of West Nile virus. What should I do?

A. Contact your health care provider if you have concerns about your health. If you or your family members develop symptoms such as high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, and severe headaches, you should see your doctor immediately.

For more information:

West Nile Virus

more Know What topics

Visit keepkidshealthy.com

[Guest guest]

Marci,

Yeah, that is interesting but I thought it was weird how they say the chances

are slim, because you would have to have several bites, but then big horses

have died from it- but maybe they were swarmed with mosquitos. I hope

Olivia's family is doing as well as can be expected- and I really hope that

they can come up with a definitive answer to put you and the rest of the

parents more at ease. So sad

' Mom

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the information. It's interesting that death from West Nile Virus is

so rare. The odds of Olivia getting WN and then dying from it seem like such a

long shot. We still have not gotten any definitive word on Olivia's death.

We have been staying indoors a lot more (plus it has been scorching hot here)

and we've been swimming at the YMCA since they have an indoor pool. I hope we

have a real cold winter and freeze up those nasty mosquitos. They have been

thick this year.

Thanks again !

Marci