West Nile virus first Californian death now spans East and West USA

Main Category: Headache / Migraine
Article Date: 24 Jul 2004 - 17:00 PDT

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The West Nile Virus entered the USA five years ago, it started in New York and has now reached California and claimed its first death. The man, aged 57, died last month, said officials. Officials say that the virus now spans from the East to the West coast of the USA.

35 people have tested positive for West Nile Virus in California so far. Officials said the risk of serious illness is low, but that residents should try to avoid getting mosquito bites (that's how the virus is transmitted).

Experts think the virus entered the USA in New York in 1999. They say an infected bird (or even a person) must have brought it in then.

The strain of virus that entered through New York is similar to one that was present in Israel in 1998. Over the last five years it has relentlessly made its way west.

While it has been moving west it has not left the eastern part. Rather than just move west, it has expanded west and has continued infecting birds (and people) in the east. It is not something that looks as though it is going to go away in a hurry, if ever, say experts.

The CDC has decided to focus on containment rather than elimination of the virus. Authorities are telling people to be cautious - try to avoid being out when you are most likely to be bitten by a mosquito. During the two hours after dusk you should be extra careful, they say - use insect repellent and make sure there is no standing water.

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus infection?

Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not have any type of illness.

It is estimated that about 20% of the people who become infected will develop West Nile fever: the symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.

The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of disease.

What is the incubation period in humans (i.e., time from infection to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile encephalitis?

Usually 3 to 14 days.

How long do symptoms last?

Symptoms of West Nile fever will generally last a few days, although even some healthy people report having been sick for several weeks. Symptoms of severe disease (encephalitis or meningitis) may last several weeks, although neurological effects may be permanent.

If I have West Nile Fever, can it turn into West Nile encephalitis?

When someone is infected with West Nile virus (WNV) they will typically have one of three outcomes: No symptoms (most likely), West Nile fever (WNF in about 20% of people) or severe West Nile disease, such as meningitis or encephalitis (less than 1% of those who get infected). If you develop a high fever with severe headache, consult your health care provider.

WNF is characterized by symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache and sometimes swollen lymph glands and rash. WNF generally lasts only a few days, though in some cases symptoms have been reported to last longer, even up to several weeks. WNF does not appear to cause any long-term health effects. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. People with WNF recover on their own, though symptoms can be relieved through various treatments (e.g. medication for headache and body aches, etc.).

Some people may develop a brief, WNF-like illness (early symptoms) before they develop more severe disease, though the percentage of patients in whom this occurs is not known.

Occasionally, an infected person may develop more severe disease such as "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. Although there is no treatment for WNV infection itself, the person with severe disease often needs to be hospitalized. Care may involve nursing IV fluids, respiratory support, and prevention of secondary infections.