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What
is West Nile Virus?
What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?
Who is
at highest risk for becoming seriously ill?
Do all mosquitoes
transmit disease?
Where do mosquitoes
live and breed?
When are mosquitoes most
active?
What bird(s) can
carry West Nile Virus?
Can my pet be infected?
How can I protect
my family and myself?
Should we stay indoors?
What is being done in my community to control mosquitoes?
What else can we do?
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| What
is West Nile Virus? |
| West Nile Virus is a
mosquito-borne infection that can cause serious illness. Although
chances of a person getting sick are small, there are some simple steps
you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes |
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| What
are the symptoms of West Nile Virus? |
| Mild cases of West Nile
infections may include a slight fever and/or headache. More severe
infections are marked by a rapid onset of a high fever with head and boy
aches disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases,
paralysis or death. Usually symptoms occur from 5 to 15 days after
exposure. There is no specific treatment for viral infections, other
than to treat the symptoms and provide supportive care. |
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| Who
is at highest risk for becoming seriously ill? |
| Persons who are at highest
risk for serious illness are persons over the age of 50. Healthy
children and adults are at very low risk for infection. |
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| Do
all mosquitoes transmit disease? |
| No. Most mosquitoes do
not transmit disease. While there are about 65 different species of
mosquitoes in New York State, only certain species have been associated
with West Nile Virus in New York State. |
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| Where
do mosquitoes live and breed? |
| Mosquitoes lay their eggs in
moist areas, such as standing water. The eggs become larva that
remain in the water until the adults mature and fly off. Weeds, tall
grass and shrubbery provide an outdoor home for adult mosquitoes.
They can also enter houses through unscreened windows or doors, or broken
screens. Many mosquitoes will breed in containers that hold water,
such as flower pots or discarded tires. |
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| When
are mosquitoes most active? |
| Some mosquitoes are most
active between dusk and dawn, when the air is calm. However, others
will feed at any time of day. |
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| What
bird(s) can carry West Nile Virus? |
| In New York State, most West
Nile virus-positive birds have been American crows. The State Health
Department is using dead crow sightings to track West Nile virus, so it's
important to report any dead crows to your local health department.
Not all dead crows need to be tested for West Nile virus. There is
no evidence that birds can transmit West Nile virus to people, but gloves
should be worn when handling any dead bird or mammal because of the
possibility of other diseases. |
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| Can
my pet be infected? |
| West Nile virus has been
confirmed in some domestic animals, including pet birds, dogs and
cats. Horses can become seriously ill, if infected. It is
important to remember that birds and animals cannot transmit West Nile
virus to people. |
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| How
can I protect my family and myself? |
| To reduce the mosquito
population around your home and property, reduce or eliminate all standing
water: |
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic
pots or similar water-holding containers
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- Remove all discarded tires on your
property. Used tires are very significant mosquito breeding
sites
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- Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling
containers that are kept outdoors.
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- Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean
clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
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- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows
when not in use.
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- Change the water in birdbaths.
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- Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds.
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- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor
saunas and hot tubs.
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- Drain water from pool covers.
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- Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that
collects on your property.
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| Should we
stay indoors? |
| It is not necessary to limit
any outdoor activities. However, you can and should try to reduce
your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. In addition to reducing
standing water in your yard, make sure all windows and doors have screens,
and that all screens are in good repair. If West Nile virus is found
in your area: |
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- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved
shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are
most active.
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- Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according
to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors when mosquitoes are
biting.
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| What is being
done in my community to control mosquitoes? |
| The New York State Health
Department, along with other state agencies, local health departments,
colleges and environmental groups, has prepared a plan to address the
return of West Nile virus to the Empire State, and has devised a
preventive strategy to minimize the impact. Local communities are
implementing various control measures based on geographic location and
level of risk. For more information regarding activities in your
specific area, contact your local health department. |
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| What
else can we do? |
| In addition to reducing
potential breeding sites on your own property, you can encourage your
neighbors, local businesses and municipal agencies to do so as well.
You can also work with local service, labor, religious and fraternal
organizations to promote community-wide clean-up drives. |
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Nicholas
A. DeRosa
Director of Health |
Oneida
County Department of Health
Adirondack Bank Building
5th Floor
185 Genesee Street
Utica, New York 13501
(315) 798-6400
Email: publichealth@ocgov.net |
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© 2003 Oneida County, New York, USA |