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West Nile Virus - Tri-County Health Department |
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West Nile virus is a disease that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. It has been common in Africa, west Asia and the Middle East for decades. It first appeared in the U.S. in 1999 in New York. It has since traveled westward across the U.S. and now is in Colorado. Nearly 3,000 human
cases were reported in Colorado in 2003; 63 Coloradans died from the
disease and almost 900 were hospitalized. Most of those who became
seriously ill recovered, but some suffered permanent disabilities.
Here are the human cases from each year since then: It is very rare to catch this illness, and most infected people will not get sick or will have only mild symptoms. However, West Nile virus can be fatal. We want you to have the facts, in order to ease your fears, and so that you can take appropriate prevention measures. How
it is spread: Health departments across the state are closely monitoring human and horse illnesses and tracking the virus by testing dead birds and trapping mosquitoes. Mosquito season in Colorado starts in the Spring and ends in mid-September.
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 Risks and symptoms: Fewer than one percent of mosquitoes carry this virus and fewer than one percent of people infected with the virus will develop severe illness. Symptoms generally appear three to 14 days after exposure. All residents of areas where West Nile virus activity has been confirmed are at risk, but people over age 50 seem to be especially vulnerable to the severe forms of disease. In rare cases, it can be fatal. West Nile virus can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the brain's lining). However, most infections are mild and symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally include skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes. More severe infections may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness or convulsions. Persons with these symptoms need to seek medical attention immediately. Prevention
- What
you can do: Check for items that might hold water including wheelbarrows, tires, hubcaps, toys, garden equipment, pool covers, tarps, plastic sheeting, pipes, drains, boats, canoes and trash. Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets and cans. • Drill drainage holes in tire swings.
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Personal Protection: For more information,
call your local
Link
to the Fight the Bite Colorado Toll-free Colorado HelpLine: En
Español- Virus del Nilo Occidental:
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