West Nile Virus – what you should know

328
Joan Koczor Maricopa
Joan Koczor

West Nile disease in humans was first detected in Uganda (hence the virus’ name) in the 1930s and first appeared in the U.S. in the late 1990s. And was first detected in Arizona in 2003
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona has had more confirmed cases of West Nile virus than any other state in 2021. As of Sept. 21, Arizona reported having had 97 infections this year and four virus-related deaths. The 2021 Monsoon season brought more rain to the state then we’ve seen in recent years, which has proven to be a contributing factor to the increase in mosquitoes.

According to the experts, the beginning stages of West Nile virus symptoms are similar to COVID-19.

People are infected with West Nile through a bite from an infected mosquito.

“Mosquitoes don’t respect city lines or district lines or county lines so we need to really think of it beyond geographic boundaries,” said Dr. Aiman Halai, an epidemiologist for the LA County Department of Public Health.

“COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory virus,” Halai said in an online interview with ABC. “It affects the breathing system which causes cough, shortness of breath, and in severe illness, a lung infection or pneumonia which is then very different from severe illness caused by West Nile virus.”

Severe symptoms of West Nile involve confusion, blurry vision, drowsiness, and limb weakness, as it affects the nervous system. Mild cases of West Nile often go undiagnosed, meaning there are far more cases than we know of. West Nile is not contagious; you can only get it from mosquitoes, which is another huge difference when compared to the coronavirus. But those at risk are in the same category.

“It’s our elderly, people with underlying medical problems, hypertension, diabetes, chronic heart and lung conditions those are the people we need to protect and they’re the ones that should be prioritizing preventive action for both these viruses,” Dr. Halai said.
Here are a few basic things you can do to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes:

  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent and make sure windows and doors that you may leave open have insect screens.
  • Repellents containing picaridin or DEET are the most effective.
    Long-sleeved shirts and long pants help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Wear loose fitting clothes that cover your skin.
  • Try to limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are about (usually dusk and dawn).
  • Protect your home by eliminating standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs.

Source: betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Maricopa.gov/2423/Fight-the-Bite

InMaricopa.com/Columnists

This story was first published in the November edition of InMaricopa magazine.