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WEST NILE VIRUS
& ENCEPHALITIS FACT SHEET |
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What
is West Nile encephalitis? |
"Encephalitis"
is an inflammation of the brain and can be caused by
viruses and bacteria including viruses transmitted by
mosquitoes. West Nile encephalitis is an infection of
the brain caused by West Nile virus. It is closely related
to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United
States. |
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What
Is the incubation period in humans (or time from infection
to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile encephalitis? |
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What
are the symptoms of West Nile encephalitis? |
Mild
infections have symptoms that include fever, headache,
and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph
glands. More severe infection may be marked by headache,
high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation,
coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis,
and rarely death. If you believe you have West Nile,
seek medical care as soon as possible. |
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How
do people get West Nile encephalitis? |
The
bite of a mosquito that is infected with West Nile virus
is all it takes to transmit the infection. Mosquitoes
become infected when they feed on infected birds. After
an incubation period of 1 to 2 weeks, infected female
mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to humans
and animals while biting. The mosquitoes and the bites
they cause do not differ from those bites of an uninfected
mosquito. |
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How
is West Nile encephalitis treated? |
There
is NO specific therapy or vaccine for West Nile infection.
In more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is
indicated which includes hospitalization. |
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Who
is at risk for getting West Nile encephalitis? |
All
residents of areas where virus activity had been identified
are at risk of getting West Nile encephalitis; persons
greater than 50 years of age have the highest risk of
severe disease. |
West
Nile Virus confirmed in first Texan
The
Associated Press - Published July 23 2002
HOUSTON
-- The Houston Health and Human Services Department
today confirmed that a 50-year-old Orange County has
the West Nile virus. Officials made the announcement
during a news conference at the Houston Veteran's Affairs
Medical Center. Officials said Richard Hicks had
contracted the potentially fatal virus and is in stable
condition. They say he's beginning to make a recovery. Hicks,
who is from a part of the state where horses have been
diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease, was admitted
to the hospital on Friday. Until now, only birds
and horses have tested positive for West Nile in Texas. Health
officials also said that tests done yesterday show that
a 74-year-old northwest Harris County resident might
have had the virus. The man was hospitalized on
July 16th and released on Sunday. Officials say
he has made a full recovery. They're waiting on final
test results. West Nile was first identified in
Texas last month in two dead blue jays found in west
Harris County.
Copyright
© 2003, The Associated Press |
