Protecting yourself from mosquito bites will help prevent the spread of WNV. What can be done to prevent the spread of WNV? Natural infection of a pet by contacting or eating an infected dead bird has not been documented. Horses are more susceptible to serious illness from WNV than are dogs and cats however, a vaccine is available for horses. Pets occasionally get WNV from mosquito bites, but very rarely get sick. It is likely that people with past infection of West Nile virus will be protected from getting the disease again. Does past infection with WNV make a person immune? Currently there is no West Nile virus vaccine available for humans. In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized and closely monitored. Health care providers will usually attempt to relieve the symptoms of the illness. Health care providers diagnose WNV based on the patient's clinical symptoms and laboratory diagnosis by testing blood or spinal fluids, which will show if the virus or antibodies against the virus are present in the person. Individuals with concern should consult their health care provider for more information. There is no specific treatment for viral infections, other than to treat the symptoms and provide supportive care. Usually, symptoms occur from 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. WNV can cause serious illness, and in some cases, death. The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and coma. These symptoms typically last a few days - but may last several weeks. It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will develop less severe symptoms including fever, headache and body aches, nausea (the feeling of sickness in the stomach), and occasionally a skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Most people (70-80%) who are infected with WNV do not show symptoms. ![]() Pregnant women should consult their health care provider for more information. WNV can also be spread from mother to baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breast-feeding in a small number of cases. In a small number of cases, WNV has been spread by blood transfusion, which has resulted in the screening of blood donations for the virus in the US, or by organ transplantation. It is not spread from person to person through casual contact or from handling dead infected birds, although gloves should always be worn when handling any dead animal. While there are about 70 different species of mosquitoes in New York State, only certain species have been associated with WNV. WNV is usually spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. While chances of anyone becoming seriously ill are small, people over 50 years of age are at the highest risk for severe illness. ![]() Most people are infected in summer to early fall. See the New York State weekly arboviral surveillance report. WNV is considered endemic (native) in New York State and is generally found in at least part of the state each summer. Who gets WNV?Īnyone who lives in or travels to areas where West Nile virus activity has been identified is at risk of getting the disease. In humans, WNV may cause a mild illness but may also cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). The infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. West Nile Virus (WNV) Disease is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. West Nile Virus (WNV) What is West Nile virus? All Health Care Professionals & Patient Safety.Clinical Guidelines, Standards & Quality of Care.Health & Safety in the Home, Workplace & Outdoors.Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records.If five cases are reported, the Federal Office of Public Health External link will require that every blood donor be tested. ![]() So far there have been no reports of West Nile virus in Switzerland this year. This can cause illness and serious complications for the recipient,” Beat Frey, head doctor at Zurich’s Red Cross blood centre External link, told Swiss public television, SRF External link. “The blood donor can be symptom-free, but still be carrying the virus and pass it on through the blood donation. The incubation period is ten days, and infected people often show no symptoms. The virus spreads via migratory birds and local mosquitoes. Swiss health authorities have introduced a 30-day waiting period for potential donors who have just returned from a country where the virus has been reported. The reason is the increase in cases of West Nile virus, which has been recorded in neighbouring France and Italy as well as southeastern European countries.
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