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West Nile Virus in the San Gabriel Valley: West Nile Virus Facts Jump to: History, Equine Disease & Avian Disease, WNV in California, WNv Surveillance/Precautions/Control Transmission West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted to birds, animals, and humans by infected mosquitoes during bloodfeeding.
Mosquitoes transmit WNV through their saliva, which is injected into animals and people when they feed. People can not become infected from caring for or through contact with a WNV infected person. There have been 36 species of mosquitoes that have been found to be infected with WNV in the US. For a complete list, please refer to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/mosquitoSpecies.htm The CDC has also confirmed rare cases of WNV transmission through organ donation & blood transfusion, and from a mother to her unborn infant and through breast milk. Now, all donated blood entering the blood supply is now being screened for WNV (since July 2003). Even though transmission through the handling of an infected animal has not been identified, residents are urged to not handle sick or dead birds directly, but pick them up with shovel or cover their hands with an inverted plastic bag. Dead birds can be disposed of in a sealed plastic bag in the regular trash. Symptoms Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not exhibit illness – 1 in 5 will. Less than 1 percent of the bites from infected mosquitoes will cause severe disease Persons over 50 years of age or those with lowered immune systems have the highest risk of severe disease West Nile Fever (WNF) symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands West Nile Neuroinvasive disease (WNND) – (West Nile encephalitis, meningitis, and/or meningoencephalitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, possibly leading to death. Symptoms of WNF will generally last 5-10 days, with the potential for headaches & substantial weakness lasting several weeks to months following infection. Symptoms of WNND may last several weeks to months. Neurologic effects may be permanent If symptoms are present, contact your health care provider for an evaluation Precautions Survey property and eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding. Immature mosquitoes in stagnant water mature to biting adults in as few as 5 days Avoid activity outside when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and dusk When outdoors, wear long pants, long sleeve shirts and other protective clothing Apply insect repellant containing DEET according to label instructions Make sure that doors and windows have tight fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes
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