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The main symptoms of West Nile virus, explained
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illnesses in the United States, with the highest concentration in the Midwest. Here’s how to tell if you’re infected.
UNITED STATES TODAY
Going outdoors this Labor Day weekend? State health officials are urging all Michigan residents to use insect repellant and other precautions to avoid mosquito bites, as the first cases of West Nile virus of the year have been identified in residents of Oakland and Macomb counties.
Over the past week, mosquitoes collected from Detroit and Bay City and Kent, Macomb, Midland, Oakland and Wayne counties tested positive for West Nile virus as well as another mosquito-borne disease, Jamestown Canyon virus.
In addition, Eastern Equine Encephalitis – a virus that kills 1 in 3 people who are ill with it – has been detected in a mosquito pool in Barry County and in a deer and horse in Livingston County. .
Viruses are all transmitted by the bite of a mosquito that feeds on an infected bird.
“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause serious illness, so be extra careful during peak mosquito bite hours, which are dusk and dawn,” said Dr Joneigh Khaldun, director state medical officer and deputy chief health officer, in a statement.
“As we head into the holiday weekend and beyond, we urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using bug spray and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when are outside during these times. “
Following: Mosquitoes Are Out Of Control: How To Prevent Bites, Relieve Itching, Avoid IAS
Following: Deadly mosquito-borne EEE virus detected in 2 Michigan counties
Symptoms of West Nile virus
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people who are infected will not have any symptoms. But 1 in 5 will develop symptoms that include:
- Fever
- Aches
- Joint pain
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Eruption
- Headache
About 1 in 150 people will develop more serious symptoms that affect the central nervous system and include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Neck stiffness
- Stupor or disorientation
- Coma
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Muscular weakness
- Loss of vision
- Numbness
- Paralysis
How to prevent West Nile virus
There are no vaccines to prevent the virus and there are no drugs to treat it.
The risk of contracting West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne viruses increases in warm months and peaks in late summer and early fall.
Following: Small mosquito bite took away Michigan teenager Savanah DeHart’s ability to speak and walk
Following: West Michigan teenager Savanah DeHart with EEE slowly recovers
People can reduce their risk by:
- Use of an insect repellant containing one of the following ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, lemon eucalyptus oil or para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone.
- Wear light-colored shoes, socks and long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors.
- Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Make sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
- Use mosquito nets for sleeping outdoors or in conditions without mosquito nets.
- Eliminate all sources of standing water around your home, including birdbaths.
Contact Kristen Shamus: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kristenshamus.
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Sources 2/ https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2021/09/03/west-nile-virus-cases-oakland-macomb/5714990001/ The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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