The West Nile Virus is a potentially fatal mosquito-transmitted virus that affects parts of the USA from early summer deep into autumn. The disease was first discovered in Uganda, Africa in women in 1937 and the first diagnosis in the USA was in 1999. Since then, the virus has received a lot of media coverage, due in part to the large spread of areas in which humans can be infected.
West Nile virus is an emerging infectious disease that made its first appearance in the United States in 1999. The microbe that causes the infection belongs to a group of disease-causing viruses known as flaviviruses, which are usually spread by ticks or mosquitoes.
West Nile Virus is a virus that can cause severe and occasionally fatal sickness. That being said, it has been overblown a bit by the media machine. While over 3,000 people were infected with it in 2005, only 119 died. Nobody wants to minimize death, but it is important to note that catching West Nile is not a death sentence in any way.
In the first stage of West Nile Virus which everyone who suffers the disease will experience, there are no symptoms felt. If the sufferer does not progress to either of the next 2 stages they will not be aware that they have even been infected. Therefore, no West Nile Virus treatment is required to be administered.
prevent West Nile Virus
1-Use insect repellent2-Cover-up with clothing as much as practical, especially arms, legs and neck3-Be aware of peak mosquito biting hours from dusk to dawn, limit outdoor activities during these times if possible4-Eliminate standing water around your home as mosquitoes lay their eggs in this environment
However the Mosquitoes have been around for over 400 million years and next to the Cucaracha are probably the most successful species to ever cruise the Planet. Let’s be smart about this issues, it is serious and growing.
Most people with WNV will only ever experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands which generally last 3-6 days. However in rare instances there can be very severe complications. The infection can lead to convulsions, coma and death. And even if a severely infected person survives, there is a good chance of permanent neurological damage.
Birds carry West Nile virus. It was almost certainly a bird that brought the virus to New York in the summer of 1999, but no one knows for sure exactly how it happened. The bird may have been ill, or it may have been relatively healthy: some birds die from the infection while others are unaffected. In any case the bird was bitten by a mosquito while the virus was circulating in its bloodstream.
Both Central and South America are major hot spots for this virus as they harbour significant numbers of the mosquito population. A complex network of interaction between the virus, the birds, and the mosquitoes exists, and it is still somewhat poorly understood.
In order to discuss the symptoms of West Nile Virus in children, we should know a little about the 3 different stages of West Nile Virus. The first stage is an asymptomatic infection. This means that no symptoms are felt by the sufferer. This does not mean that it is impossible to tell if someone has contracted West Nile Virus as we should be aware of the difference between signs and symptoms.
If you have a small pond or water garden, add fish, since fish will eat the mosquito larvae. Add a fountain or waterfall, since moving water deters mosquitoes. Make sure your open windows are covered securely with screens, screens that have no holes or other openings in them.
The West Nile Virus got its name from Uganda, where it was discovered in 1937 in the district of West Nile. This disease has travelled to many areas of the world, which includes North America and Europe. Therefore, whenever you are visiting another part of the world, keep an eye out for this disease.
West Nile Virus is delivered to humans thru our friends the mosquitoes which are well adapted to out live humans with some 500 million years of evolution under their belt; safe to say, they are not going anywhere. They will be around after the human race is extinct and they were here before us.
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