Doctors Issue West Nile Virus Warning as Mosquito Season Peaks
LANCASTER COUNTY, PA – as summer progresses into fall, local health officials are urging residents to take precautions against west Nile Virus (WNV), a potentially serious illness spread by mosquitoes. Increased mosquito activity, particularly during dawn and dusk, elevates the risk of transmission, prompting warnings for all community members, especially those with compromised immune systems.
West Nile Virus, first detected in the United States in 1999, can cause a range of symptoms, from mild flu-like illness to severe neurological disease. While most infections are asymptomatic, approximately 20% of those infected develop West Nile fever, characterized by fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes a rash. A small percentage of cases – less than 1% – progress to more serious conditions like encephalitis or meningitis, which can lead to seizures, paralysis, and even death.
Diagnosis of WNV is based on symptoms and laboratory tests, including bloodwork or cerebrospinal fluid tests to detect antibodies to the virus, which typically appear a few days after symptoms begin. Individuals with weakened immune systems may require additional testing. Currently, there is no specific treatment or cure for West Nile Virus; care focuses on supportive measures like rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Severe cases may necessitate hospitalization for monitoring and management of complications. Treatments such as immune therapies, interferon, ribavirin, or corticosteroids have been studied, but have not been proven to improve outcomes.
Fortunately, most people who recover from WNV develop long-lasting immunity. Though, those with weakened immune systems may have less protection and should remain vigilant in their preventative efforts.
Health officials emphasize that prevention centers on avoiding mosquito bites. Recommended steps include:
* Wearing long sleeves and loose-fitting pants when outdoors.
* Using insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin, as approved by the EPA.
* Treating clothing and gear with permethrin.
* Emptying standing water weekly, as mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
* Ensuring screens are in good repair on windows and doors, and over rain barrels.
Residents are also advised not to handle dead birds with bare hands,as they can carry the virus,and to consider reporting them to state health authorities.
This information is for general knowledge and does not substitute professional medical advice.
Photo credits to Keystone Health.
