Health Department issues guidance on West Nile Virus
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
News from Lake County Public Health
POLSON — On Aug. 23 the State Department of Livestock Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory reported five West Nile Virus-positive horses from Blaine, McCone, Petroleum, Phillips, and Stillwater Counties. While there has been no known WNV activity currently identified in Lake County, the Lake County Health Department would like to provide residents with facts and guidance to reduce the risk of human exposure to WNV.
West Nile Virus is a potentially serious illness that is transmitted by mosquitoes infected with WNV. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds and spread the disease to humans and other animals when they bite.
About 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV do not develop symptoms; however, about 1 in 150 people will develop serious symptoms. They include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. More commonly, milder symptoms will appear, which include fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms commonly appear within two to 14 days of a mosquito bite and may last from a few days to up to several weeks.
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the illness and existence of symptoms. Although there is no vaccine available to prevent the disease, there are ways to minimize a person’s risk. They include:
• Using insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection.
• Wearing long sleeves and pants from dusk through dawn when many mosquitoes are most active.
• Installing or repairing screens on windows and doors. Keep your windows closed and use air conditioning if available.
• Helping to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths.
• Not handling dead birds. If you see a dead bird, use gloves or an inverted plastic bag to place the bird’s carcass (body) in a garbage bag; then wash your hands well. There is no evidence that WNV is transmitted by handling an infected bird, but it is best to avoid touching any dead animal with your bare hands.
As mentioned, there is no WNV activity currently reported in Lake County, but a little knowledge goes a long way in the prevention of transmission and illness. For more information about West Nile Virus in humans and/or animals, please go to http://www.lakecountypublichealth.org or http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/
