West Nile Virus Means It's Protection Time

Mosquitos may do more than put the damper on an outdoor picnic or limit children from having outside fun. Their bites may carry the potentially serious illness West Nile Virus (NV). The Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established WNV as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall and has activated a "Fight the Bite" campaign for awareness. Here is some basic information that all parents and child care providers should know about WNV and how to prevent its spread.

What Is West Nile Virus and how is it transmitted?
WNV is a potentially serious illness that affects the central nervous system. It may be transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a human to take in blood. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. In addition, recent investigations confirmed WNV transmission through transplanted organs and transfused blood. The recent introduction of routine WNV screening of blood donations should greatly reduce the risk of spread of WNV through transfused blood.

What are its symptoms?
The CDC has defined symptoms as follows:

* Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

* Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected will display symptoms which can include fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have been sick for several weeks.

* No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

Only about two persons of every 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito. Although illness from WNV is usually mild, serious illness and death are possible.

What is the risk from becoming ill from WNV?

* Adults over age 50 are at a higher risk to get sick. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.

* Being outside means you're at risk. The more time spent outdoors, means the more time individuals could be bitten by an infected mosquito. Parents and child care providers should pay special attention to protection and to avoiding mosquito bites , either working or playing.

* The risk through medical procedures is very low. Health experts have indicated that all donated blood is checked for WNV before being used. The risk of getting WNV through blood transfusions and organ transplants is very small, and should not prevent people who need surgery from having it. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor.

* Pregnancy and nursing do not increase risk of becoming infected with WNV. The risk that WNV may present to a fetus or an infant infected through breastmilk is still being evaluated. Talk with your care provider, pediatrician, or obstetrician if you have concerns. Dress appropriately to reduce mosquito bites. When possible, wear long-sleeves, pants and socks. Be aware of peak mosquito hours in your area, which are typically from dusk to dawn. Parents should consider asking their child's care provider to apply repellent to their child when outdoors during the times of year when WNV is most apt to be present. Some providers require that parents provide their own repellent for their children to provide for parent choice and lessen liability. Find out what your child's care provider's practice is concerning insect repellent.