Many of you will likely remember the West Nile Virus outbreak across the country that occurred several years ago.  It hit just about every state in the U.S. and devastated crow and horse populations around the country.  Worse, its infection complications cost human lives as well.  After that outbreak we hadn’t seen the likes of West Nile Virus for several years. Now in 2012, West Nile Virus has, again, cropped up in several states.

Due to the numbers involved in this current outbreak to date, 1,590 reported cases across 48 states, and 66 deaths, health officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are calling it the worst West Nile Virus outbreak on record in the United States. As I want my patients and readers to be safe and remain healthy, I would like to tell you how to protect yourself from West Nile Virus. First, let me give you a little background information on the West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus – Where Did It Come From?         

We first became aware of the West Nile Virus here in the United States in 1999.  How it got here is still a question that hasn’t been answered definitively.  Prior to then, West Nile Virus was not known to the United States, or the entire Western Hemisphere.  There was talk of possible bioterrorism from the Middle East. Other possible routes included migrating infected birds or mosquitoes.

Typically, West Nile outbreaks are more common in Africa (found first in Uganda) around the Nile River areas, Egypt and the Middle East, as well as Australia and India.  High heat, humidity, and poor water quality form ideal breeding conditions for Culex mosquitoes (the ones that carry West Nile Virus).  Public health officials agree that this is what likely happened in the United States this past summer:  Record heat waves and prolonged droughts that lead to poor water quality provided ripe conditions for the increase of Culex mosquitoes.

According to a recent report by CBS News, What’s Making the 2012 West Nile Outbreak the Worst Ever? Dr.  Lyle Peterson, director of the vector-borne infections division of the CDC, said that the U.S. is in the midst of ‘one of the largest West Nile Virus outbreaks ever seen’.  The state of Texas, for example, has been particularly hard hit with 783 cases.  Texas is also one of the states hardest hit with droughts this year. Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan and Mississippi have also reported 1 human death each from West Nile Virus.

Officials say West Nile Virus season peaks in mid-August but can run all the way into October if the weather stays warm.  Symptoms, however, may not show up until a few weeks after infection.  Health officials expect many more cases before it’s over.

What’s Your Risk of West Nile Virus Complications?

One of the most frustrating parts of getting people to comply with West Nile Virus protection recommendations is that most people think it’s really just a bird or horse issue.  Or, that it only affects the very young or elderly, or the very immune-compromised. This is simply not true.  Though people over 50 and immune-system comprised are at greater risk, older children, teen-agers, and people in their 30-40’s have also been affected by West Nile Virus complications. It really is an all-age, equal opportunity virus.

The CDC says that about 1 in 150 people can develop complications like encephalitis, meningitis, paralysis, coma and death.  And, even though most mosquitoes do not carry West Nile Virus, about 1 in 500 is the Culex type that carries it. With very large populations of mosquitoes, though, the amount of mosquitoes carrying the virus increases.

How Can You Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus?    

Although I don’t routinely recommend my patients, or readers, spray themselves with chemical mosquito repellants, I’m making an exception in this case. Health officials recommend DEET-type repellants.  There’s also a natural repellant, Neem oil, which researchers at the Malaria Institute in India reported to be more effective than DEET. There are also clip on repellants that don’t contact your skin.  In addition, health officials recommend the following:

• Wear long sleeves and pants along with your repellant disk if you are outside at dawn or dusk when mosquito activity is most pronounced.
• Remove any standing water around your home. Pails, old tires, flower pot basins, garbage cans, anything that collects water can become a breeding ground.  If you have a swimming pool, be sure to keep it clean to prevent mosquitoes breeding.
• Repair any broken screens in your home so that mosquitoes cannot get into your home.  There have been cases of mosquitoes making their home in shower and sink drains, continuing to breed and release mosquitoes into your home.  Treat your drains with bleach every now and then to kill any possible mosquito larvae.
• Do not overwater your lawn as it can cause pooling water where mosquitoes breed.
• Report any dead birds on your property to your local health department who can come out and collect the bird and test it for West Nile.

West Nile Virus Infection Symptoms

With West Nile Virus outbreaks in many states, you will want to know the symptoms of possible WNV infection.   The likelihood of you acquiring severe West Nile Virus infection complications is, generally, small.  About 80% of people who become infected do not have symptoms at all.   Others tolerate WNV infection as well as a short-lived flu-bug and do not need to seek medical attention.  It has many of the same symptoms as the flu.  Symptoms may take 3-14 days to develop after the bite, but can come on rapidly at that point:

• Fever
• Fatigue/sleepiness
• Low grade nausea
• Dizziness
• Body aches, joint pain
• Diarrhea
• Rash – up to half of WNV patients commonly develop rash.
• Sore throat

If, however, you know you have been bitten by mosquitoes and notice any of the following symptoms, don’t panic, but please get to a doctor, or local emergency room, immediately:

• Headaches
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Weakness of one arm or leg
• Loss of consciousness

You will need to have blood tests run to determine if you have been infected by West Nile Virus.  You may also be given a lumbar puncture for testing cerebrospinal fluid, CT or MRI brain scan, and may likely require hospitalization.

If you are an organ transplant patient, have diabetes or kidney disease, you are at higher risk for complications of West Nile Virus infection.  There currently is no vaccine to prevent the virus.  And, currently, there is no drug that can target, or kill, the virus once you are infected.  Health officials urge you to take precautions and avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes in general.

The very good news is that even if you do get a West Nile Virus infection, however mild or severe, and survive it, health officials have said that you acquire lifelong immunity against it.

Like health officials are warning people in New Orleans about Hurricane Isaac, I recommend the same regarding West Nile Virus. Even if it seems there’s no immediate threat to you, take precautions now to ensure that you stay safe and stay healthy.

Stay Well,
Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Natural Health News

What’s Making the 2012 West Nile Virus Outbreak The Worst Ever? http://www.ktvq.com/news/what-s-making-the-2012-west-nile-virus-outbreak-the-worst-ever-/

West Nile Blames in Death of Illinois official as U.S. Battles Virus, http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/19/health/west-nile-virus/index.html

West Nile Outbreak Shaping Up As Worst Ever in U.S, Authorities Say, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/health/west-nile-outbreak-shaping-up-as-worst-ever-in-us-authorities-say.html

West Nile Mystery – How Did It Get Here? http://www.newsmakingnews.com/artwestnilenewyorker.htm

West Nile Virus Profile, http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/flavi/2000/westnile.htm

CDC:   West Nile Virus – What You Need to Know, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/transmission.htm

West Nile Virus Cases Hit 1,590, Death Toll At 66, http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/08/29/west-nile-virus-cases-hit-1590-death-toll-at-66/

Larvicidal Activity of Neem Oil Formulation Against Mosquitoes, http://www.malariajournal.com/content/8/1/124

photo credit: en.wikipedia.org