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Subscribe to RSSThe Centers for Disease Control reports the number of West Nile cases have almost doubled since last week. The virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, has been spreading quickly across the country. NBC's Janet Shamlian reports.
As cases of West Nile virus continue to mount in what may be record numbers, government health officials are urging people -- particularly those in the worst-affected states -- to cover up, use insecticide and remove the standing water that helps fuel the mosquito-borne infections.
Cases of West Nile virus in the U.S. are about three times higher than normal for this time of year, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday, with at least 1,118 illnesses in what's being described as one of the worst outbreaks since the virus was detected here in 1999.
About half of the cases have been in Texas, where drought and heat, followed by rain, have contributed to the outbreak that has killed 19 people in that state. Forty-one have died nationwide, CDC says.
In normal years, fewer than 300 cases are reported in the U.S. by mid-August, with most illnesses typically reported in late August and September. It's difficult to tell how this season will progress, officials said.
CDC
Pesky mosquitoes are behind one of the worst-ever outbreaks of West Nile virus, health officials say.
A handful of states have seen the most infections, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota and California -- but the virus can occur anywhere, CDC officials said.
West Nile virus, which is most often spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes, usually isn’t deadly. Only about 20 percent of infected people even realize they have it. Those who do develop symptoms of West Nile fever typically complain of headache, fever, tiredness and, sometimes, a rash.
But 1 percent of cases develop into severe disease, usually meningitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord. They may die quickly or result in nerve damage.
The severe cases usually strike the elderly and those with impaired immune systems, but it’s important to prevent West Nile infection when possible.
Here are CDC’s top tips for avoiding West Nile virus.
- Use insect repellents that contain an EPA-registered active ingredient whenever you’re outdoors.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors at dawn and dusk, or consider staying indoors during those times, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
- Remove the standing water that allows mosquitoes to breed. That includes small pools of water in unlikely places such as flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly.
- Drill holes in tire swings so that water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they’re not being used.
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In Oklahoma's robots are being deployed in fight against West Nile infected mosquitoes. KFOR's Jesse Wells reports.
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I had encephalitis in 1987 from most likely a mosquito bite. Almost killed me...nasty stuff, and it took a year to be really up and around completely. Still have some lingering effects, although I was lucky and no one else much would notice except a doctor. Be careful out there...since fall is coming early to the south, perhaps the insects will die off early.
Kill all the birds. Oh wait.
Years ago,when we had the first wave of WNV, we were told to report any dead birds to our local oublic health authorities and they would come pick them up and test them. For some reason all the dead birds in our area were crows. Most of the reported cases of NV were from the same "horsey" community. I had several patients with neuroinvasive WNV and none of them were elderly or immunocompromised.
The Officials say to Avoid being Outdoors during Dusk or Dawn well I'm here to inform you in the state of Texas those are the only times of the day when you can go outdoors and stay for more that 10min Because from about 2:00pm until 7:00pm it's about 110 degrees outside with the THI so were basically screwed when it comes to going outside.
Yeah I live right in the middle of a WNV hotzone here, several cases have popped up very close by. My kids are soooo pissed, I just won't let them play outside at all right now. They are gonna be even more pissed when school starts back up and I make them get on the bus soaked in stinky insect repellent.
I keep on reading about them spraying the WNV hotzones here in TX but there have been numerous cases here in the poor rural county I live in and there has been no spraying.
I sincerely hope this helps increase the bat population.
Considering they have vacinations for horses to prevent West Nile.... why not for humans??