Keeping West Nile Virus at bay Published June 22, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Monisha Barnes 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.-- -- PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - As warmer temperatures arrive, the presence of mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus might not be far behind. The virus, first identified in 1937 in the West Nile region of Uganda, spread to the United States in 1999. Experts believe that WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America which flares-up in the summer and continues into the fall. Mosquitoes, a natural WNV host, become infected from biting infected birds. In turn, the mosquitoes can infect humans and animals. About 80 percent of people infected with mosquito-borne viruses do not become ill and exhibit no symptoms. For those who do become ill, the time between the mosquito bite and the onset of symptoms, known as the incubation period, ranges from three to 14 days. Two clinically different types of the disease occur in humans. Symptoms of the viral fever syndrome include fever, headache and depression. These symptoms persist for about two to seven days and affect approximately one in five infected people. In rare cases, the virus can cause a more serious brain infection such as aseptic meningitis or encephalitis, affecting approximately one in 150 infected individuals. These infections begin with a sudden onset of high fever and headache, and may progress to stiff neck, disorientation, tremors and coma. Severe infections can result in permanent brain damage or death. Most deaths occur in people older than 50. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. In cases with mild symptoms, people experience symptoms such as fever and aches which eventually pass on their own. In more severe cases, people may need supportive treatment from a medical facility. For most, the risk is low. Very few people bitten by mosquitoes develop any symptoms of the disease and relatively few mosquitoes actually carry WNV. Prevention is the key. Being aware of prevention activities will reduce the disease in the population. · Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and socks sprayed with repellent while outdoors · Stay indoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active · Spray insect repellent containing DEET, or N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, on exposed skin and clothing when you go outdoors · Adults and children older than two months can use preparations containing up to 35 percent DEET · Don't put repellent on children's hands as it may get in their mouths or eyes · Keep mosquitoes outside by fixing or installing window and door screens · Drain standing water. A small amount of standing water can be enough for a mosquito to lay eggs. Look around every week for possible mosquito breeding places. · Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers, flower pots and other items. Throw away or cover up stored tires and other items that aren't being used. Clean pet water bowls weekly. Check if rain gutters are clogged. If you store water outside or have a well, make sure it's covered. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. · If you find a dead bird, don't handle the body with your bare hands. Wrap a garbage bag around your hand, scoop the dead bird with wrapped hand, pull garbage bag around bird leaving bird inside bag, tie the bag, and discard in a trash can. For additional information, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov or contact Public Health at 556-1225.