West Nile Virus (WNV)
West Nile virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. CDC reports that in four out of five cases, persons infected with WNV show no symptoms. In almost 20% of the cases, infections result in very mild flu-like symptoms, called West Nile fever.
The A. triseriatus mosquito is responsible for spreading West Nile virus (WNV).
The typical time from infection to the onset of signs and symptoms is 3 to 14 days. Signs and symptoms of the milder West Nile Fever and more severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include:
- Mild West Nile Fever - Headache, fever, tiredness, aches, nausea/vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, skin rash.
- West Nile encephalitis/meningitis - All the above plus stiffness in neck, stupor, possible coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, loss of vision
Protect yourself from vector-born tick and mosquito hazards with these precautions:
- Wear light-colored clothes to see ticks more easily.
- Wear long sleeves; tuck pant legs into socks or boots.
- Wear high boots or closed shoes that cover your feet completely.
- Wear a hat.
- Shower after work. Wash and dry your work clothes at high temperature.
- Examine your body for ticks after work. Remove any attached ticks promptly and carefully with fine-tipped tweezers by gripping the tick. Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, or nail polish to remove the tick.
- Apply Picaridin or insect repellent with DEET to exposed skin.
- Spray clothing with repellents containing DEET or permethrin. (Note: Do not spray permethrin directly onto exposed skin.)
- Be extra vigilant at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Get rid of sources of standing water (used tires, buckets) to reduce or eliminate mosquito breeding areas.
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2-5. How is West Nile virus transmitted?
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