Search Articles:

 

Breaking News......... Montana F-15s duel Iowa F-16s in training exercises above Montana towns......... MISSOULA MARATHON 2009: Today's the day to pick up race packets!......... Wildfire season off to a cool, wet, slow start in the West......... Help feed the Bitterroot Valley's hungry cats at fundraisers today......... Local News......... Schweitzer: ‘Damn right I'm mad' at GM........Three council members file suit against city........Fishing limits dropped on 6 backcountry lakes........Baucus: Health care plan will be produced before end of August........Fighting fire with fire on Blue Mountain: Strategy designed to keep smoke from billowing into Missoula during the summer........Jury acquits ex-Griz Wilson in second murder trial........

West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It was first identified in the United States in 1999. The resulting disease outbreak in humans and animals has developed into the largest outbreak of mosquito-transmitted viral disease ever seen in the U.S.

WNV is not only a human public health problem but also significantly affects wild and domestic animals, especially birds and horses. Mosquitoes carry the virus after feeding on the blood of infected birds. Infected mosquitoes then can spread it to humans and other animals when they bite. Most outbreaks of WNV occur in the summer and continue into the fall.

What are the symptoms?

Four out of five people bitten by an infected mosquito do not have symptoms. The one person who develops symptoms, usually develops West Nile fever. Symptoms of West Nile fever develop two to 14 days after a mosquito bite and can include fever, nausea, vomiting, headache and fatigue. Occasionally a person develops a skin rash on the trunk of the body, swollen lymph glands or eye pain. Symptoms can last for a few days to several weeks.

It is estimated that one out of 150 people infected with WNV develops severe illness. Symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

What is the treatment?

There is no specific treatment or vaccine to prevent WNV infections. In cases when a person has milder symptoms, the virus will go away on its own. With severe cases, treatment consists of hospitalization, nursing care, intravenous fluids, respiratory support and prevention of secondary infections.

If you have symptoms of WNV, contact your health care provider. He or she will take a medical history to assess your risk. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease. If your doctor decides that you are at high risk and have symptoms of WNV, he or she will draw a blood sample for laboratory confirmation.

How do I prevent WNV?

The best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. When you are outdoors, use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, and consider wearing white so you can see mosquitoes more easily. 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. If you find a dead bird, do not handle it.

By taking these precautions and being aware of potential symptoms of West Nile Virus, you can protect yourself and your family while still enjoying the outdoors. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/westnile.

Tammy Powers, is a registered nurse and infection control coordinator at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center.

---

---

Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)

---