Tag Archives: West Nile Virus

Health

West Nile virus confirmed in Wisconsin resident

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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The first human case of West Nile virus this year in Wisconsin was confirmed Monday, the state’s top health agency announced.

The person who tested positive for the virus is a Sheboygan County resident, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services stated.

State Health Officer Paula Tran told Wisconsinites that even as the temperatures fall, mosquito activity and the risk of being infected continue until temperatures drop below 28 degrees for at least four consecutive hours.

“While West Nile virus and other viruses spread by mosquitoes pose a risk to all Wisconsinites, people who have weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk for serious illness,” Tran said.

Health officials have also reported West Nile Virus in three animals in Wisconsin so far, two horses and one bird. These animals are from Trempealeau, Monroe, and Milwaukee counties.

DHS explained that the illness spreads to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. It cannot be spread directly from person to person, animal to animal or animal to person.

While 80% of people who get West Nile virus don’t get sick, those who do usually experience mild symptoms, such as a headache, fever, muscle aches, rash and fatigue. Less than 1% of people will become seriously ill, which can include symptoms like a high fever, muscle weakness and tremors.

DHS and Sheboygan County Health and Human Services provided tips online for how to help avoid mosquito breeding sites and reduce the risk of getting West Nile virus.

Copyright 2022 WMTV. All rights reserved.

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Health

Is West Nile Virus Getting Bad Again?

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Photo: STEKLO (Shutterstock)

West Nile virus has been found in a record number of mosquitoes in the New York City area, with at least two cases known to have occurred in humans. If you weren’t around for the last big West Nile panic about 20 years ago, you might be wondering just what this disease is and whether you should be worried about it.

What is West Nile virus?

The West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, and it can infect birds and some other animals, including horses, in addition to people. Most people who contract the virus won’t have any symptoms. About 20% will have a fever and flu-like symptoms, but in rare cases—one in every 150 people, the CDC estimates—the virus can cause more serious, neurological symptoms.

In those more severe cases, the brain or its membranes may become inflamed. Symptoms may include neck stiffness, confusion, weakness, convulsions, numbness, vision loss, or paralysis. One in 10 people with severe illness from West Nile may die.

Where is West Nile an issue?

The virus and the mosquitoes that carry it are present throughout the continental United States. The area with the greatest number of cases, based on historical data, occur in the Western half of the country, and are most common in the area that runs from North Dakota to Colorado.

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Why is this happening now?

West Nile first made headlines in the early 2000’s, but it never really went away. The New York City Department of Health points out that increased temperatures make mosquitoes reproduce more quickly, which probably contributes to an increased spread of the disease. The weather in the southwestern U.S. has also been wetter than usual, which is good news for mosquitoes and bad news for us.

While the New York findings are in the news now, they’re not the only cases of West Nile. California, for example, has already had 12 human cases this year.

What should I do?

As with any mosquito-borne illness, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid getting bitten. A good bug spray that includes DEET or another EPA-registered pesticide (like picaridin) is key. You can also protect yourself by using window screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home, by wearing long sleeves and long pants where possible, and by using a fan to keep mosquitoes away when you’re chilling on the porch.

Mosquito control is also a good idea, in general. Mosquitoes breed in puddles of standing water, so if you have any buckets, flowerpots, birdbaths, potholes, or other places where water collects, consider dumping and cleaning them regularly, or treating them with larvicide (which kills the aquatic baby mosquitoes) if they cannot be dumped.

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Health

Scottsdale man dies after suffering from West Nile Virus

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Maricopa County has experienced its fourth West Nile Virus death this year as a Scottsdale man went from sitting on his back porch to the emergency room in less than a week.

Donald Streets, 86, died on Friday, September 17, after contracting the West Nile Virus. His son suspects Streets contracted the virus while sitting outside at his home on Tuesday, August 31.

“He said, ‘Oh it’s beautiful outside you should go out on your deck,'” said Ramin Streets, Donald Street’s son, reading a text message his dad sent to him. “So I knew he was out there.”

That text was sent on a Tuesday, by Friday, Donald Streets was feeling ill. Not long after, he was being admitted to the emergency room.

“He was getting unsteady on his feet, his hands were shaking,” said his son. “This was a two-week crash and it was a surprise. The family is in shock, I’m in shock.”

Ramin Streets opted for doctors to test his dad for West Nile Virus, confirming the diagnosis just days before his death.

Donald Streets is the fourth person in Maricopa County to die of the West Nile Virus this year. So far, there have been 90 reported cases, a major jump from 2020, when there were only three cases and one death for the entire year.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the West Nile Virus range from fever and dizziness to loss of sight and paralysis. Symptoms can express anywhere from three to 14 days.

Ramin Streets hopes by sharing his dad’s story, he can prevent other elderly people, who are more susceptible to illness from the West Nile Virus, from contracting the virus.

“People who are roughly his age, I would say 70 plus, if we have summers this wet, I mean stay indoors, don’t risk this. You don’t want to go through what he went through,” said Ramin.

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Health

West Nile: Los Angeles County reports its 1st West Nile virus death of the year

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Los Angeles County on Friday reported its first case this year of a person dying from West Nile virus.

The person was only identified as a resident of the eastern region of the county. The patient was hospitalized and died from West Nile virus-associated neuro-invasive disease, the county’s public health department said in a news release.

“To the family and friends feeling the sorrow of losing this person due to WNV, we send you our deepest sympathies,” said L.A. County Health Officer Muntu Davis in a statement. “West Nile virus can be a serious health threat to people who get infected.”

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes, and is a recurring problem in Southern California, particularly in the summer.

Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, body aches and a mild skin rash. Officials remind residents to try to clear any standing water from around the home as it can attract mosquitoes, and to put on insect repellent when outside and when mosquitoes are present.

“People should regularly check for items that can hold water and breed mosquitoes, both inside and outside their homes, and to cover, clean or throw out those items,” Davis said. “I encourage everyone to protect themselves from diseases spread by mosquitoes by using EPA-registered mosquito repellent products as directed, and wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.”

Health officials say people over 50 and those with chronic medical conditions, such as cancer and diabetes, can develop severe infection. There is no vaccine for the virus.

Ten cases of West Nile virus have been reported in L.A. County this year, excluding Long Beach and Pasadena as those cities have their own health departments.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2021 KABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Health

California reports first 2021 death from West Nile virus

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California is reporting the state’s first death this year from the West Nile virus.

Public health officials say a resident of San Luis Obispo County died from complications of the mosquito-born virus, although it didn’t provide any details.

The agency warns that hot weather is increasing the number of mosquitoes and therefore the risk of infecting humans. Most people infected with the virus don’t have any symptoms but a small percentage can have serious neurological problems.

State figures show there have been more than 300 deaths from the West Nile virus in California since 2003.

Copyright © 2021 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.



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Health

West Nile virus found for first time this year in Massachusetts mosquito sample

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West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said. The state health department said the presence of West Nile virus was confirmed Thursday by the state health lab in a mosquito sample collected on June 29 in the town of Medford in Middlesex County. Health officials said no human or animal cases of West Nile virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis have been detected so far this year. “There is no elevated risk level or risk-level change associated with this finding,” the state health department said. “The first WNV infected mosquito of the season is always a signal that it is time to start taking steps to avoid mosquito bites,” acting DPH commissioner Margret Cooke says. “WNV is part of summer in Massachusetts and as we head into this long holiday weekend, it is important to remember that while WNV can cause serious illness, there are simple things that you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.”West Nile virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were eight human cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts in 2020. In 2018, there were 49 human cases of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts — the greatest number of cases the commonwealth has ever had in a single year. While West Nile virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected West Nile virus will have no symptoms. When present, West Nile virus symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.Health officials suggest applying insect repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus before heading outside. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

MEDFORD, Mass. —

West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said.

The state health department said the presence of West Nile virus was confirmed Thursday by the state health lab in a mosquito sample collected on June 29 in the town of Medford in Middlesex County.

Health officials said no human or animal cases of West Nile virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis have been detected so far this year.

“There is no elevated risk level or risk-level change associated with this finding,” the state health department said.

“The first WNV infected mosquito of the season is always a signal that it is time to start taking steps to avoid mosquito bites,” acting DPH commissioner Margret Cooke says. “WNV is part of summer in Massachusetts and as we head into this long holiday weekend, it is important to remember that while WNV can cause serious illness, there are simple things that you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

West Nile virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were eight human cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts in 2020.

In 2018, there were 49 human cases of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts — the greatest number of cases the commonwealth has ever had in a single year.

While West Nile virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease.

Most people infected West Nile virus will have no symptoms.

When present, West Nile virus symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.

Health officials suggest applying insect repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus before heading outside.

The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

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