What is West Nile virus (WNV)?
WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that can potentially cause a serious illness. It has been common in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East for decades, but has only been in the United States since 1999. In 2003, Colorado had more than 2,900 cases; 62 people died.
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How do I get West Nile virus?
WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
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Where can I go to be tested for West Nile
virus?
WNV testing can be provided by your primary health care provider or a community health center.
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How do I protect myself and my family from contracting
WNV?
While WNV can strike even the healthiest of Boulder County residents, it can be easily prevented.
Remember the 4 Ds:
- DEET – use DEET- enhanced insect repellant (a 2% soy-based product is also
available).
- Dress – dress in long sleeves and pants.
- Dusk to Dawn – avoid the outdoors from dusk until dawn.
- Drain – drain standing water outside your home.
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What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?
1 out of 5 people infected with WNV will suffer a debilitating illness that will often last longer than one week, and in some cases, more than three months. Symptoms include fever, extreme fatigue, head and body aches, skin rashes, and/or swollen lymph glands.
Some of the more severe symptoms include meningitis, encephalitis, loss of vision, paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions, and may sometimes lead to death.
People will typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
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What are my chances of getting infected with
WNV?
97% of Boulder County residents are at risk for contracting West Nile virus – that includes children, grandparents, and YOU!
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Is it only seniors and young children who are at risk?
West Nile virus has become a fact of life for all Coloradans. It’s not just the very young or the very old who are at risk of serious illness, disability, or even death.
Nearly half of those suffering from debilitating illnesses caused by a mosquito bite from last year are between the ages of 21 to 50.
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Is treatment available?
As of now, the best treatment available for West Nile virus is prevention.
No specific treatment is available at this time for West Nile virus.
Individual symptoms, however, may be treated accordingly.
If you feel that you have been infected with West Nile virus, contact your health care provider. If you suffer any severe symptoms, such as unusually severe headaches, confusion, disorientation, or paralysis, seek medical attention immediately.
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Can I get WNV by donating blood or receiving a blood transfusion?
While WNV has been spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants, it’s extremely rare. New tests are in place to prevent this rare type of transmission.
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Can WNV be transmitted from one person to another?
West Nile virus cannot be spread through casual or intimate contact, such as touching or kissing a person with the virus.
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Am I at risk for WNV at higher elevations?
Little information is known. There is some speculation that the mosquitoes primarily responsible for WNV transmission may not be present in large numbers at altitudes above 8,000 feet.
However, until more is learned about the mosquito populations at higher altitudes, the best recommendation is to protect yourself at all altitudes.
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Are my animals at risk?
WNV infections have been documented in many household pets, as well as larger domestic animals, such as horses. In general, household pets have not developed illness as regularly as humans have. However, horses have developed severe and life threatening complications when infected with
WNV.
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If I had West Nile virus last year, can I get the virus a second time or am I immune to it? Do I need to continue to avoid exposure?
Based on what we have learned from areas where WNV has been around for decades, public health officials feel that infection will provide immunity against being re-infected later in life. However, there is concern that the immunity may wane over time and precautions against mosquito exposures are always recommended
(follow the 4D's).
In addition, there are two other mosquito-borne illnesses that have been seen in Colorado in the
past; St. Louis Encephalitis and Western Equine Encephalitis. Because of these other viruses,
public health officials continue to recommend following the 4D's, regardless of your WNV infection history.
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