October/November 2002
|
|
Volume I, Issue I October/November 2002 |
|
|
|
|
By Darcee Dunkle |
|||
|
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a member of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus group. It was first isolated in 1939 from a febrile woman in the West Nile district of what is known as Uganda - so it is known as the West Nile Virus. The virus is commonly found in humans and birds and other vertibrates such as horses. Documented outbreaks of WNV have occurred since 1951, but outbreaks did not occur in the western hemisphere (i.e. United States) until 1999. In 1999, there was an outbreak in New York State and since then outbreaks have been occurring across the United States in a westerly fashion. The peak incidence of cases of WNV occur in the late summer and early fall. WNV in humans is transmitted via a mosquito bite from an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by biting infected birds. Not all mosquitoes are infected. The public can help track the disease by reporting dead birds - especially crows, hawks, and blue jays - by calling the State Health Department at 1-877-PA-HEALTH. The incubation period is from three to 14 days. Signs and symptoms of WNV in humans may include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, weakness, swollen glands, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. About 1 in 150 people infected with WNV will have severe health problems, including menintitis or encephalitis. Most people will experience only mild symptoms. People over 50 have the highest risk of developing WNV because as we get older, our bodies have a harder time fighting off infection and disease. |
People with compromised immune systems are also at increased risk. Treatment is supportive. In other wo |
||