What are the symptoms?
Most people infected with West Nile virus will not have any signs of illness. Twenty percent of people who become infected will have mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.
The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile neuroinvasive disease) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors,
convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Only about one out of 150 (0.6%) people infected with West Nile virus will develop this more severe form of the disease.
The incubation period of West Nile virus in humans is three to 14 days. Symptoms of mild disease may last a few days. Symptoms of severe disease may last several weeks, although neurological effects may be permanent. Rarely, death can occur.
How can I reduce my risk of getting West Nile virus?
Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid becoming infected with the West Nile virus. Protect yourself from the West Nile virus with these four tips:
- Use an approved insect repellent every time you go outside. Approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow the instructions on the label.
- Regularly drain standing water, including water that collects in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
- Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.
Abstracted from CDC Bulletin
No reported cases in our neighborhood to date. Whew!!!!!!