West Nile Virus
West Nile virus (WNV) is an infectious disease that first appeared in the United States in 1999. Pinellas county mosquito control department has confirmed that a sentinel chicken tested positive for West Nile virus on Wednesday (July 8th). According to county officials this is the first positive test of the year in Pinellas County. The most common way WNV is transmitted is by a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. After a mosquito feeds on an infected bird the virus goes through a temperature-dependent incubation period within the mosquito. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals. From person-to-person or from animal-to-person through casual contact. Normal veterinary infection control precautions should be followed when caring for a horse suspected to have this or any viral infection. From handling live or dead infected birds. You should avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animal. If you are disposing of a dead bird, use gloves or double plastic bags to place the carcass in a garbage can. Through consuming infected birds or animals. In keeping with overall public health practice, and due to the risk of known food-borne pathogens, always follow procedures for fully cooking meat from either birds or mammals. Most people develop no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people (70-80%) who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms Less than 1% of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues), reportedly from the CDC. The symptoms of neurologic illness can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis. Recovery from severe disease may take several weeks or months. Some of the neurologic effects may be permanent. About 10% of people who develop neurologic infection because of West Nile virus will die. Most people with WNV have no symptoms. About 20% of people who become infected with WNV develop flu like symptoms. No vaccine or specific antiviral treatments for West Nile virus infection are available. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to reduce fever and relieve some symptoms. In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care. Although there is no treatment for WNV people who are infected usually need to be hospitalized. Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk for serious illness. To prevent the WNV spread you can try to avoid mosquito bites. Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during those times. Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. When possible, avoid mosquitoes. Make sure screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes. If you must enter areas where there is a threat of encountering infected mosquitoes, wear protective clothing. Use your air conditioning, if you have it. Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis. A person's first line of defense during a vector-borne disease emergency is knowledge and personal protection. Dead birds may be a sign that WNV is circulating between birds