West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus found in temperate and tropical areas of the world. It was first discovered in the West Nile subregion in Uganda back in 1937.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated in their website that most of the time, West Nile Virus present no symptom. Only 1 out 5 infected individuals will develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.
The rarest case of the disease can only occur 1 percent of all infected individuals. This is also the most severe form of infection as it may affect the brain. This infected person will experience headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis. Furthermore, the infection may lead to the inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissue and most likely lead to the death of the patient.
West Nile Virus can be acquired through other means apart from a mosquito bite. Though the occurrence may be slim, there is a chance that a patient can acquire West Nile Virus from: blood transfusion, organ transplantation, exposure to a contaminated laboratory equipment such as a needle or broken glass, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
Meanwhile, the CDC informs the public on their website that casual contact with an infected person or animal will not result to transferring of the virus. Moreover, Handling and consuming of dead infected birds will not lead to a West Nile Virus infection.
The West Nile Virus has no known cure or vaccine. Luckily, mild conditions such as fever and pain can be remedied by over-the-counter drugs. Patients with severe symptoms, on the other hand, need to be hospitalized in order to receive treatment and care from healthcare professionals.
The disease calls for alarm as North Dakota already confirmed their first case of West Nile Virus. Fox News reported that a McLean County woman, aged 40, has been infected by the virus and was not hospitalized. Washington times stated in their report that the mosquitos in Lucas County, Toledo, Ohio have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Health department officials say that Lucas is the sixth county in Ohio where West Nile Virus is identified.
On that note, the CDC gives out a few free advice to prevent the acquisition of the said virus. First on the agenda is to avoid mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents, especially during mosquito peak hours such as dusk and dawn. Mosquito-proof your homes and support your local community with their activities to control the mosquito population.
Always remember: "Prevention is better than cure."