West Nile Virus

Some of what happens in life is luck. Many people who are bitten by an infected mosquito won't get sick—many others aren't as lucky. More than 30,000 people in the US have been reported with West Nile virus disease since 1999, and of those almost 13,000 have been seriously ill and over 1,200 have died. Many more cases of illness are not reported to CDC, but it's likely that more than 300,000 people from almost every state have been sickened in the 12 years since West Nile virus came to the US. The older you are, the more likely that you could get severely ill if you get infected. People who have ever received an organ transplant also seem to be at higher risk for severe disease. The reasons one person becomes severely ill and another doesn't aren't entirely known. The virus still remains dangerous for the very young and the elderly.

West Nile virus is spread to humans, birds and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito becomes infected from biting a bird with the virus. Crows and bluejays are the birds most likely to die from the infection.

If you find one of these dead birds contact your local health department in case they want to test the bird for the virus. To dispose of the bird wear rubber or plastic gloves or use a shovel to pick up the bird. Place the bird in a plastic bag, tie it shut and place inside another plastic bag and close. Wash hands well when done.

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or experience mild illness. The illness would occur 5 to 15 days after getting bit by the infected mosquito. The virus is not communicable between humans.

Symptoms are generally mild and include: fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Severe infections are marked by high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, occasional convulsions and paralysis.

Prevention is the key to avoid infection. You can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your property by eliminating areas of standing water. Turn over wading pools when not in use, dispose of cans or containers that hold water. Clean birdbaths weekly. Aerate ornamental ponds or stock with fish.

Use yellow bug lights in your outdoor lights, bugs are less attracted to these lights.

Control what you can. Improve your odds of avoiding West Nile and other mosquito spread viruses by using a repellent on exposed skin and clothes while outdoors. There are facts or a counter argument for every excuse, but here's the best reason to go ahead and use repellents —to avoid getting sick from West Nile virus, this is a part of the equation you can help to control. Avoid the weeks (or even months) of aches and fatigue that come with West Nile fever, the more severe problems of being hospitalized with swelling of the brain or an even worse outcome. Use insect repellent with Deet (6-30%) for children when outdoors. Remember to wash off when come inside, spray onto clothes rather than skin.

Stay indoors if possible when mosquitoes are most active, generally two to three hours before and after dusk and at dawn when the air is calm. This is when the females are most likely to bite.

For more information go to the Ohio Department of Health website at www.odh.state.oh.us. Search for “ West Nile ”.