West Nile virus is a fever causing illness caught from the bite of an infected mosquito. A mosquito can carry the virus from having bitten an infected bird and the cycle of infection can go back and forth between them. The disease starts as a fever of sudden onset. A mosquito bite accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms may be suggestive of the West Nile Virus and from the time of infection to onset of disease symptoms is usually 5 to 15 days according to the CDC.

 

malaise (feeling bad in general)
anorexia (lack of appetite)
nausea
vomiting
eye pain
photophobia (sensitivity to light)
headache
myalgia (muscle aches)
maculopapular rash (raised and flat spots)
lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph glands)
arthralgia (aching joints)

 

Fortunately, the risk of catching West Nile virus is very low. Even in areas where the virus is circulating, very few mosquitoes are infected with the virus. Even if the mosquito is infected, less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite are extremely small and only about 20% will show significant symptoms. Treatment at present consists primarily of supportive care (rest, fluids, etc.) unless any neurological signs show up in which case a neurologists should be consulted immediately.

People should also check around their homes and empty any containers holding water such as tires, birdbaths, and flowerpots. Screens should be used on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes. People who are using rain barrels to collect water during the drought should be sure the barrels have screens that fit tightly to prevent mosquito breeding.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare disease that is spread to horses and humans by infected mosquitoes. It is among the most serious of a group of mosquito-borne virus diseases that can affect the central nervous system and cause severe complications and even death. Other similar diseases are western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, and LaCrosse encephalitis

 

   

 

 

 

 

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito that can cause a swelling of the brain (encephalitis).

EEE occurs in the eastern United States from Canada to Florida and all areas east of the Mississippi River. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) reports about 5 human cases of EEE per year in the United States.

The virus is normally maintained in nature in a bird-mosquito cycle. Disease in humans and other animals is typically rare but can occur when an infected mosquito takes a blood meal. There is no direct human-to-human or horse-to-human spread of EEE.

EEE can infect people of all ages and can be a serious or fatal disease. Although most people who are infected develop no symptoms, up to 30 to 50% of those that develop encephalitis may die. People that recover from EEE can have significant side effects such as seizures, mental retardation and paralysis

Symptoms of EEE include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Extreme tiredness
• Mental confusion
• Coma

See your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms following a mosquito bite. Symptoms usually occur 4 to 10 days after exposure to a mosquito carrying the virus. There is no specific treatment and there is no vaccine for use in people.

A vaccine is available for horses, but not for humans. Prevention centers on public health action to control mosquitoes and on individual action to avoid mosquito bites. To avoid being bitten by the mosquitoes that cause eastern equine encephalitis:

If possible, stay inside between dusk and dark. This is when mosquitoes are most active.
When outside between dusk and dark, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Spray exposed skin with an insect repellent. 

The best defense is to avoid mosquito contact. Insect repellants containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide and related compounds) are the most effective mosquito repellants on the market (see some examples on the left and right). When used properly with other preventive measures such as wearing light-colored long sleeved tops and long pants, avoiding mosquito-infested areas and staying indoors at dawn and dusk, repellants are a good way to minimize the risk of mosquito bites. As with any such products, precautions are in order to ensure personal health and safety. Always read and follow label directions and precautions carefully. For children of various ages and for adults, the following guidelines are recommended:

MOSQUITO REPELLENT GUIDANCE UPDATED

RALEIGH – So far this summer, two North Carolinians have contracted West Nile Virus, and one of them has died. Experts with the North Carolina Division of Public Health say that the risk of mosquito-borne illness like WNV can be reduced with the proper application of DEET insect repellent. The revised repellent guidelines recommend the use of 30 percent DEET on anyone older than two months.

“We wanted to provide our citizens with clear guidance on how to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said state toxicologist Dr. Luanne Williams. “This guidance updates work we did last year. Our previous guidance was different depending on age, but this updated guidance is the same for everyone over the age of two months. Anyone over two months can safely use 30 percent DEET to protect themselves from mosquitoes.”

Dr. Williams said that people should follow safety guidelines when applying repellents.

• Do not use a product containing more than 30% DEET on children.
• Do not use sunscreen products that contain DEET. While the sunscreen may wash off as you swim or play, the DEET won’t. Repeated application of a DEET containing sunscreen product may increase the potential for toxic effects.
• Read and follow all directions and precautions on the product label.
• Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use under clothing.
• Do not use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using sprays do not spray directly onto face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Do not allow children to handle the products, and do not apply to children's hands. When using on children, apply to your own hands and then put it on the child.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas. Avoid breathing a repellent spray, and do not use it near food.
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application and saturation is generally unnecessary for effectiveness.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water. Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.

If you suspect that you or your child is reacting to an insect repellent, discontinue use, wash treated skin, and call the Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Get specific medical information about the active ingredients in repellents and other pesticides by calling the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) at 1-800-858-7378 or going to NPIC web site at http://www.npic.orst.edu   In addition to applying mosquito repellent, mosquito bites can be reduced by wearing long sleeves and long pants and avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.  These precautions can reduce the risk of mosquito bites by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds:

• Remove any containers that can hold water, even a small amount – especiallyold tires;
• Keep gutters clean and in good repair;
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets and change the water in bird baths and pet bowls at least twice a week;
• Use screened windows and doors and make sure screens fit tightly and are not torn.

In addition to the two human WNV cases, WNV has been found in birds from Manteo to Murphy. Another deadly mosquito-borne illness, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, has been identified in more than 60 horses from across the state. State health officials have issued several warnings this summer, advising all North Carolinians to take precautions against mosquito bites because of the risk of WNV or EEE infections, which could occur any where in the state.. For more information click to http://www.cdc.gov/