West Nile Virus Fact Sheet

09/03/2002
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a "fact sheet" which contains detailed information about the West Nile Virus Infection (West Nile Encephalitis, West Nile Fever, WNV). The list below only contains some of the questions and answers from this fact sheet. To view all of the questions and answers from this fact sheet, visit the KDHE West Nile Virus Fact Sheet link below. <b>What is West Nile Virus infection1/2</b> It is an infection caused by West Nile virus (WNV), which is spread to people by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. It is usually considered a virus of birds, but people can be accidental hosts. In people, the disease usually causes only a mild illness, but may cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain), meningitis (swelling of the lining of the brain), or even death in rare cases. The virus is named after the West Nile region of Uganda where the virus was first identified. <b>Who gets West Nile virus1/2</b> Anyone can get infected with WNV if bitten by an infected mosquito. More severe infections are seen in the elderly and those with a weakened immune system. <b>What are the symptoms of a West Nile virus infection1/2</b> Most people infected with WNV do not become ill. People with a mild infection may present with fever, headache, eye pain, muscle aches, joint pain, a rash on the trunk and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases symptoms include extreme muscle weakness, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), paralysis, and coma. In rare cases the infection may be fatal, particularly in the elderly and people with other medical conditions. <b>How soon after being bitten by a West Nile virus infected mosquito do symptoms occur1/2</b> Symptoms usually occur 3 to 15 days after a West Nile virus infected mosquito bites a person. Being bitten by an infected mosquito will not necessarily make you sick. Most people who are infected with West Nile Virus have no symptoms or have only mild illness. <b>Should I be tested for West Nile Virus infection after being bitten by a mosquito1/2</b> No, most mosquitoes are not infected with WNV. WNV infections generally occur during warm weather months when mosquitoes are active. However, even in areas where WNV occurs, only a small proportion of the mosquitoes are likely to be infected. <b>What should I do if I think I have West Nile Virus encephalitis1/2</b> If you develop signs of encephalitis, with fever, muscle weakness, and confusion, you should seek medical care immediately. <b>What is the treatment for West Nile virus infection1/2</b> There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. A physician may prescribe medications to relieve the symptoms of the illness. In severe cases hospitalization may be required. <b>What can be done to prevent an infection with West Nile virus1/2</b> Preventing mosquito bites will prevent West Nile virus infection. Personal protection and reducing mosquito populations will minimize the chance of developing WNV infection when it is present in an area. <b>Personal protective measures to reduce or prevent mosquito bites include:</b> - Limiting time spent outdoors at nightfall and dawn when mosquitoes are active - Wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors - Using insect repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) when outdoors. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. - Screening your home to prevent mosquito entry. Reducing mosquito populations will also reduce mosquito bites. In some communities, public funded surveillance and control programs reduce mosquito populations by eliminating mosquito breeding habitat, mosquito larvae or adults. You can also take measures in your own yard or on your property to eliminate standing, stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. Mosquitoes most likely to carry WNV will not breed in fresh water or running water. Mosquitoes most likely to carry WNV breed in standing, stagnant water. Any container or area where water can collect is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes, including unused tires, buckets, toys, clogged gutters, birdbaths, and livestock tanks. Turning out the water in containers or replacing/replenishing existing water every three days will interrupt the mosquito life cycle. <b>Where can I obtain more information on West Nile Virus1/2</b> You can visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) website (see link below) for the latest information on West Nile virus prevention and control activities in Kansas. You can also call your local health department or the KDHE Epidemiologic Services (785) 296-2951.

Related Links:
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) website - http://www.kdhe.state.ks.us/
KDHE West Nile Virus Fact Sheet - HTML format - http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/westnilevirus/WNV_facts.htm
Kansas West Nile Virus Surveillance Program - http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/westnilevirus/

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