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| West Nile Virus Information |
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The West Nile Virus was first detected in New York City in September of 1999. Since then, the disease has been detected many more times throughout the United States and parts of Canada. To date, this disease has been responsible for at least 16 deaths and over 80 severe cases of the disease have been reported in multiple States. The virus is now spreading across the country at an alarming rate. Medical and scientific researchers have discovered birds carrying the disease in most of the States east of the Mississippi River. In addition, experts expect the West Nile Virus will continue to spread throughout the U.S., even as far as California. The West Nile virus is a strain of encephalitis which, when contracted, can cause a fatal inflammation of brain cells. The Culex species of the mosquito that carries the virus spreads the disease to mammals and birds, including crows and gulls. There is no evidence so far that the virus can be transmitted from person to person, animal to animal, or animal to person.
Symptoms
It takes between five and fifteen days from the time of infection for an individual to experience the onset of disease symptoms. Most infections are mild. Symptoms include fever, headache and body aches, while some experience skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Severe infection may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and, rarely, death. Persons older than 50 years in age have the highest risk of severe disease and should take extra precautions to prevent exposure to mosquitoes.
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