West Nile virus is a virus that humans get from infected mosquitoes. West Nile is
commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. The first West Nile case
in the United States was found in New York in the summer of 1999. It is closely
related to St. Louis encephalitis virus which is found in the United States.
Who can get West Nile virus? Anyone can get the West Nile virus. Some people have
a higher risk of getting the severe forms of the illness. People over the age of
50 are at greater risk. You can protect yourself from getting West Nile infection!
How is West Nile spread? West Nile is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
The infected mosquito can infect people, horses, many types of birds and some other
animals.
There is no evidence that West Nile virus can be spread from person to person or
from animal to person. West Nile virus can only be spread by a mosquito.
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus. Most people infected with West Nile virus
will not have any signs of illness. 20% of people who became infected will have
mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and some people experience a skin
rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. Fewer than 1% of those bitten
by infected mosquitoes become severely ill.
What can happen? The most severe forms of West Nile Virus can lead to Encephalitis
or Meningitis. What is encephalitis? It is inflammation of the brain. What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is inflammation of the spinal cord.
How do I know I have West Nile virus? If you have been exposed to a mosquito and
think that you may have the West Nile Virus, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor can perform a blood test that will confirm whether or not you have the
virus. So, I have West Nile virus, now what? There is not specific treatment for
the West Nile Virus. If you suffer from the severe form of the illness, you may
have to be hospitalized and given supportive treatment and nursing care.
What are the 4 D's for risk reduction? Dusk and Dawn are the times of the day you
should try to stay indoors. This is when infected mosquitoes are most active.
Dress in long sleeves and pants when you're outside. For extra protection,
you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent. Avoid getting too hot! Deet
(N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is a n ingredient to look for in your insect repellent.
Follow label instructions and always wear repellent outdoors.
Other hints for your homes are to pay special attention to discarded tires that
is where lots of mosquitoes breed. Clean clogged roof gutters every year, particularly
if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Millions
of mosquitoes can breed in roof gutters each season. Turn over plastic wading pools
when not in use. A wading pool becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed. Turn over
wheelbarrows and do not let water stagnate in birdbaths. Both provide breeding habitats
for domestic mosquitoes. Ornamental pools and garden ponds should be stocked
with fish to prevent becoming a major mosquito producer. Clean and chlorinate swimming
pools when not in use. A swimming pool left unattended by a family on vacation
for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to infest an entire neighborhood.
Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers. Use landscaping
to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes may
breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.
Submitted by: Karen Weatherford
Information from: Denton County Area on Aging Presentation
The Remington at Valley Ranch, A Senior Community