Indiana State Health Department Reports Third Human Case Of West Nile Virus

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 12 Oct 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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State health officials report one probable human case of West Nile virus in Marion County. This is the third human case of West Nile virus infection in Indiana this year. The other human cases were in Perry and Tippecanoe counties.

"Although the weather has been cooler, it's important for people to remain vigilant in avoiding mosquito bites," said James Howell, DVM, veterinary epidemiologist. "It is this time of the year when we normally see the most human cases of West Nile virus in the state."

Dr. Howell recommends people take the following protective steps when they are outdoors:

- Avoid the outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible;
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin when outdoors; and
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms from three to 15 days after the bite.

Health officials say although individuals age 50 and over are at greatest risk for serious illness and possibly death from the West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe health problems.

The virus usually causes West Nile fever, a milder form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, or a rash. However, a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.

According to Dr. Howell, West Nile virus will continue to be a concern until the weather is cold enough to cause a hard frost. For more information, visit the Indiana State Department of Health Web site at: http://www.statehealth.IN.gov.

Indiana State Department of Health