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| West Nile Virus (cont.) | |
| Division of Public Health Services Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers | |
| Bureau of Infectious Disease Control REVISED –January 2018 | |
| WEST NILE VIRUS | |
| What is West Nile virus? | |
| West Nile virus (WNV) is an uncommon but | |
| serious mosquito- borne infection. The virus can | |
| be transmitted to horses, other animals, and, in | |
| rare cases, people. | |
| How do people get West Nile virus? | |
| WNV is spread by the bite of an infected | |
| mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when | |
| they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes | |
| can then spread WNV to humans and other | |
| animals when they bite. In a very small number | |
| of cases, WNV also has been spread through | |
| blood t ransfusions or organ transplants, | |
| breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from | |
| mother to baby. WNV is not spread through | |
| casual contact such as touching or kissing a | |
| person with the virus. | |
| What are the symptoms of West Nile | |
| virus in humans? | |
| Most WNV infe ctions do not cause any | |
| symptoms. Mild WNV infections can cause | |
| fever, headache and body aches, often with a skin | |
| rash and swollen lymph glands. In a small | |
| percentage of people infected by the virus, the | |
| disease can be serious, even fatal. Most severe | |
| infections can cause headache, high fever, neck | |
| stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, | |
| convulsions, paralysis, and sometimes death. | |
| How soon after exposure do symptoms | |
| appear? | |
| Symptoms of WNV usually appear 2 to 14 days , | |
| but usually 2- 6 days after the bite of an infected | |
| mosquito. | |
| How is West Nile virus diagnosed? | |
| Diagnosis is based on tests of blood or spinal | |
| fluid. | |
| Who is at risk for West Nile virus? | |
| Anyone can get WNV, but some people are at | |
| increased risk, such as people living in or visit ing | |
| areas where the disease is common, or people | |
| who work outside or participate in outdoor | |
| recreational activities in areas where the disease is | |
| common. Persons older than 50 years of age are | |
| more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV | |
| if they do get sick and should take special care to | |
| avoid mosquito bites. All donated blood is | |
| checked for WNV before being used. The risk of | |
| getting WNV through blood transfusions and | |
| organ transplants is very small, and should not | |
| prevent people who need surgery from having it. | |
| If you have concerns, talk to your health care | |
| professional. | |
| What is the treatment for West Nile | |
| Virus? | |
| There is no specific treatment for WNV. In more | |
| severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is | |
| indicated, i.e., hospitalization, intravenous (IV) | |
| fluids and nutrition, airway management, | |
| ventilator support (ventilator) if needed, and | |
| prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, | |
| urinary tract, etc). | |
| How common is West Nile virus? | |
| WNV was first identified in NH in 2000. WNV | |
| has been found in horses, mosquitoes and several | |
| species of birds. Since 2010 three human cases of | |
| WNV were reported in the state. | |
| How can West Nile virus be prevented? | |
| A vaccine is available for horses, but not for | |
| humans. Prevention of the disease centers around | |
| controlling mosquitoes and on individual action to | |
| avoid mosquito bites. To avoid being bitten by | |
| the mosquitoes that transmit WNV: | |
| West Nile Virus (cont.) | |
| Division of Public Health Services Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers | |
| Bureau of Infectious Disease Control REVISED –January 2018 | |
| • If possible, stay inside between dusk and | |
| dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. | |
| • When outside between dusk and dawn, | |
| wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. | |
| • Use an insect repellent with DEET or | |
| Picaridin according to manufacture’s | |
| directions when outside. Oil of lemon | |
| eucalyptus and IR3535 have been found to | |
| provide protection similar to repellents | |
| with low concentrations of DEET. | |
| • Put screens on windows and make sure | |
| they do not have holes. | |
| • Eliminate standing water and other | |
| mosquito breeding locations from your | |
| property. Do not alter natural water | |
| bodies. The management of ponds and | |
| wetlands is regulated by the Department of | |
| Environmental Services and any | |
| alterations require a permit before work | |
| may begin. | |
| For specific concerns about West Nile virus, call | |
| the New Hampshire Division of Public Health | |
| Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at | |
| (603) 271-4496. For further information, refer to | |
| the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | |
| website at www.cdc.gov | |
| or the New Hampshire | |
| department of Health & Human Services website | |
| at | |
| www.dhhs.nh.gov. | |