West Nile Virus Info

What Is West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. This fact sheet contains important information that can help you recognize and prevent West Nile virus.
What Can I Do to Prevent WNV?
The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.
When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow the directions on the package.

Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.

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. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.
What Are the Symptoms of WNV?
Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.
No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
How Does West Nile Virus Spread?
Infected Mosquitoes. Most often, WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite.

Transfusions, Transplants, and Mother-to-Child. In a very small number of cases, WNV also has been spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from mother to baby.

Not through touching. WNV is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus.

How Soon Do Infected People Get Sick?
People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito.
How Is WNV Infection Treated?
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. In cases with milder symptoms, people experience symptoms such as fever and aches that pass on their own, although even healthy people have become sick for several weeks. In more severe cases, people usually need to go to the hospital where they can receive supportive treatment including intravenous fluids, help with breathing and nursing care.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have WNV?
Milder WNV illness improves on its own, and people do not necessarily need to seek medical attention for this infection though they may choose to do so. If you develop symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately. Severe WNV illness usually requires hospitalization. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are encouraged to talk to their doctor if they develop symptoms that could be WNV.

What Is the Risk of Getting Sick from WNV?
People over 50 at higher risk to get severe illness. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.

Being outside means you're at risk. The more time you're outdoors, the more time you could be bitten by an infected mosquito. Pay attention to avoiding mosquito bites if you spend a lot of time outside, either working or playing.

Risk through medical procedures is very low. All donated blood is checked for WNV before being used. The risk of getting WNV through blood transfusions and organ transplants is very small, and should not prevent people who need surgery from having it. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy and nursing do not increase risk of becoming infected with WNV. The risk that WNV may present to a fetus or an infant infected through breastmilk is still being evaluated. Talk with your care provider if you have concerns.

I found a dead bird

Information from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Be sure to wear rubber glove, use a ziplock bag and store in a freezer. Then call SDHD at 308-284-6054 for an up-to-date list of particiating vets.

Flooding and Mosquitoes
People Should Take Precautions

Lincoln—Flooding will result in an increased number of mosquitoes, according to the state’s public health veterinarian.

“Flood waters are ideal for breeding mosquitoes because they lay their eggs in water,” said Dr. Annette Bredthauer of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
“It takes less than a week for mosquito larvae to become adults. So, it’s time to be diligent about applying mosquito repellent.”

In addition to using repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, to avoid mosoquitoes, people should wear long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks, and avoid going out at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

It’s also important to eliminate standing water wherever possible. Empty containers like bird baths, buckets and unused tires. In a pool of standing water, mosquito-killing products labeled for elimination of mosquito larvae can be added.

DHHS is working with the state’s local health departments to combat mosquitoes by supplying larvicides and DEET repellent wipes.

“Most of the new mosquitoes will be the nuisance kind,” said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer. “But it’s important to focus on avoiding mosquito bites because they can carry diseases like Western equine encephalitis and West Nile.”

The kind of mosquitoes that carry West Nile generally don’t show up until later in the summer, under dry conditions. However, the first mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus this year have been found in Douglas and Lincoln counties.

The mosquitoes were found as a result of the state’s first round of trapping. DHHS and the local health departments conduct mosquito trapping every year to determine if the virus is active in the state.
“We are detecting West Nile virus in mosquitoes earlier this year than in previous years,” Dr. Schaefer said. “West Nile is now part of Nebraska’s landscape and we can expect to have some cases every year.”
No human cases have yet been reported.
More information can be found on the DHHS website at www.dhhs.ne.gov