West Nile Virus
Definition
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). West Nile encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by West Nile virus, a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States.
Symptoms
West Nile virus symptoms generally occur 5 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Following transmission by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus multiplies in the person's blood system and crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissueMost people who are infected with the West Nile virus have no symptoms or may experience mild illness such as a fever, headache and body aches before fully recovering. Some persons also develop a mild rash or swollen lymph glands. In some individuals, particularly the elderly, West Nile virus can cause serious disease that affects brain tissue. At its most serious, it can cause permanent neurological damage and can be fatal. Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) symptoms include the rapid onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, confusion, loss of consciousness (coma), muscle weakness, or possibly death. Among those with severe illness due to West Nile virus, case-fatality rates range from 3% to 15% and are highest among the elderly. Less than 1% of those infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness
Transmission
West Nile virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. A mosquito becomes infected by biting a bird which carries the virus . You cannot get West Nile virus from a person who has the disease. West Nile virus is not spread by person-to-person contact such as touching, kissing, or caring for someone who is infected.
Diagnosis
Clinical presntation of symptoms.
Treatment
Although there is no specific treatment, medication or cure, the symptoms and complications of the disease can be treated. Most people who get this illness recover from it.
Prevention
Use insect repellants with no more than 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Use 15% or less DEET for children. Do not use DEET on infants. Insect repellants should be used during the dusk and evening hours when mosquitoes are most likely to bite. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions for use. If you are outdoors, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks. Mosquitoes like to breed in stagnant water. Remove outside objects such as empty buckets, old tires, and any other containers in which water accumulates and where mosquitoes may breed. (If these receptacles can not be removed, they should be emptied, turned over or covered so that water cannot collect in them.) Clean and empty water from clogged roof gutters. Change the water in bird baths every other day. Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated, or drain and cover them if they are not being used. Make sure that door and window screens do not have holes and fit tightly in your windows.
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Protection from Chemical Hazards
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Biological Agents:
Anthrax/Botulism/Brucellosis/Campylobacteriosis/Cholera/Dengue Fever/Ebola Fever/E. Coli/Hanta Fever/Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever/Legionellosis/Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever/ Plague/Rift Valley Fever/Smallpox/Streptococcus/Tularemia/West Nile Fever