The NYC Department of Health will be conducting aerial larviciding for mosquitoes to help prevent West Nile Virus in marsh and non-residential areas between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM on 6/11, 6/12, and 6/13. Aerial larviciding will occur in the following Bronx zip codes: 10464 and 10475. For more information and rain dates, go to http://www.nyc.gov/doh or call 311 for details.
West Nile virus was first identified in 1937 in Uganda in eastern Africa. It was first discovered in the United States in the summer of 1999 in New York. Since then, the virus has spread throughout the United States.
The West Nile virus is a type of virus known as a flavivirus. Researchers believe West Nile virus is spread when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a person.
Mosquitoes carry the highest amounts of virus in the early fall, which is why the rate of the disease increases in late August to early September. The risk of disease decreases as the weather becomes colder and mosquito die off.
Although many people are bitten by a mosquito that carry West Nile virus, most do not know they've been exposed. Few people develop severe disease or even notice any symptoms at all.
Risk factors for developing a more severe form of West Nile virus include:
Conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV, organ transplants, and recent chemotherapy
Older or very young age
Pregnancy
West Nile virus may also be spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. It is possible for an infected mother to spread the virus to her child through breast milk.
Symptoms
Mild disease, generally called West Nile fever, may cause some or all of the following symptoms:
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Fever
Headache
Lack of appetite
Muscle aches
Nausea
Rash
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes
Vomiting
These symptoms usually last for 3 - 6 days.
More severe forms of disease, which can be life threatening, may be called West Nile encephalitis or West Nile meningitis, depending on what part of the body is affected. The following symptoms can occur, and need prompt attention:
Confusion or change in ability to think clearly
Loss of consciousness or coma
Muscle weakness
Stiff neck
Weakness of one arm or leg
Signs and tests
Signs of West Nile virus infection are similar to those of other viral infections. There may be no specific findings on a physical examination. However, up to half of patients with West Nile virus infection may have a rash.
Tests to diagnose West Nile virus include:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Head CT scan
Head MRI scan
Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing
The most accurate way to diagnose this infection is with a serology test, which checks a blood or CSF sample for antibodies against the virus. More rapid techniques using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be used.
Treatment
Because this illness is not caused by bacteria, antibiotics do not help treat West Nile virus infection. Standard hospital care may help decrease the risk of complications in severe illness.
Expectations (prognosis)
In general, the outcome of a mild West Nile virus infection is excellent.
For patients with severe cases of West Nile virus infection, the outlook is more uncertain. West Nile encephalitis or meningitis may lead to brain damage and death. Approximately 10% of patients with brain inflammation do not survive.
Complications
Complications from mild West Nile virus infection are very rare.
Complications from severe West Nile virus infection include:
Brain damage
Permanent muscle weakness (sometimes similar to polio)
Death
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of West Nile virus infection, especially if you may have had contact with mosquitoes. If you are severely ill, go to an emergency room.
If you have been bitten by an infected mosquito, there is no treatment to avoid getting West Nile virus infection. People in good general health generally do not develop a serious illness, even if they are bitten by an infected mosquito.
Prevention
The best way to prevent West Nile virus infection is to avoid mosquito bites.
Use mosquito-repellant products containing DEET
Wear long sleeves and pants
Drain pools of standing water, such as trash bins and plant saucers (mosquitoes breed in stagnant water)
Community spraying for mosquitoes may also prevent mosquito breeding.
Testing of donated blood and organs is currently being evaluated. There are currently no guidelines.