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1. What are West Nile virus, West Nile fever, and West Nile encephalitis?

West Nile virus is a virus commonly found in Africa , West Asia , and the Middle East . It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States . The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and some other mammals.

West Nile fever is a case of mild disease in people, characterized by flu like symptoms. West Nile fever typically lasts only a few days and does not appear to cause any long-term health effects.

More severe disease due to a person being infected with this virus can be West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis, or West Nile meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, and meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it.

2. What Are the Symptoms of West Nile Virus

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 have symptoms such as 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 become 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.

3. How is West Nile Spread?

Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands. During blood feeding, the virus may be injected into the animal or human, where it may multiply, possibly causing illness

4. If I live in an area where birds or mosquitoes with West Nile virus have been reported and a mosquito bites me, am I likely to get sick?

No. Even in areas where the virus is circulating, very few mosquitoes are infected with the virus. Even if the mosquito is infected, less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite are extremely small.

5. What can I do to help prevent the spread?

Get rid of all standing water.
·Empty, remove, cover or turn upside down any receptacle/container that will hold standing water (bottles, cans, tires, buckets, flower pots, etc.).
·Change water in pet dishes, wading pools, and bird baths several times a week.
·Cover trash containers so they will not collect water.

Repair any leaking plumbing and outside faucets

6. Following the 'four Ds' can help beat mosquito bites

According to the Dallas Department of Health and Human Resources, preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid getting the West Nile virus. Remember the four Ds: Drain, Dusk/Dawn, Dress and DEET

1.Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood. Standing water can be found in swimming pools that are not kept clean, ponds, pet water dishes, birdbaths, potted plants, old tires, empty containers, toys and clogged rain gutters.

2.Dusk and dawn are the times of day you should stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active.

3.Dress in long-sleeved shirts and wear pants when you are outside. Spray thin clothing with insect repellent.

4.DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is an ingredient to look for in insect repellent.

7. Is West Nile Virus contagious?

No. West Nile is not spread through contact from person to person or from animal to person.

8. What is the treatment for West Nile Virus?

There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. Patients receive supportive medical care and rehabilitation if needed.