Mosquitoes can carry viruses that cause encephalitis.
Though the risk of encephalitis is low, if contracted by humans,
its effects range from flu-like symptoms to paralysis and
in extreme cases ... death.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that is closely related to
St. Louis encephalitis virus and can cause encephalitis, or a brain infection.
Mosquitoes spread this virus after they feed on infected birds and then bite people,
other birds and animals. It is not spread by person-to-person contact and there is
no evidence that people can get the virus by handling infected animals.
West Nile Virus cases occur primarily in the late summer or early Fall, although
the mosquito season is April through October.
Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop
severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor,
disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have
symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph
glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days,
though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.
No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are
infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
Being outside means you're at risk. The more time you're outdoors, the more time you
are exposed to the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito. Pay attention to avoiding
mosquito bites if you spend a lot of time outside, either working or playing. Wear insect
repellant and avoid staying outdoors at dawn or after dark when mosquitoes are most active.
People over 50 at higher risk to get severe illness. People over the age of 50 are
more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they are infected and should take special
care to avoid mosquito bites
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. Milder WNV illness improves on its own,
and people do not necessarily need to seek medical attention for this infection though they
may choose to do so. If you develop symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually severe
headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately. Severe WNV illness usually
requires hospitalization. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are encouraged to talk to their
doctor if they develop symptoms that could be WNV. In more severe cases, people usually need
to go to the hospital where they can receive supportive treatment including intravenous fluids,
help with breathing and nursing care.
Currently there is no WNV vaccine available for humans. Many scientists are working on this
issue, and there is hope that a vaccine will become available in the next few years. However,
there is a very effective vaccine against WNV in horses. Horse owners should consult their
veterinarians for vaccine information.
IMPORTANT! The vaccine developed for horses SHOULD NOT be used on humans. It has not
been studied in humans and could be harmful. The effectiveness of this vaccine in preventing
West Nile virus infections in horses has yet to be fully evaluated, and its effectiveness in
humans is completely unknown.
If you find a dead bird. Don't handle the body with your bare hands.
Contact the Board of Health at (985) 447-0916 for instructions on reporting and disposing
of the dead bird. They may tell you to dispose of the bird after they log your report.
Avoid staying outdoors at dawn and at nightfall when mosquitoes are most active.
When outdoors, wear insect repellant containing 20%-30% DEET for adults
and no more than 10% for children. Do not use repellant containing DEET on children under
3 years of age. Follow the product's instructions carefully, especially when applying to
children.
Only apply repellant to exposed skin and clothing. Do use repellant under
clothing. Do not apply repellant over cuts, wounds, sunburn or irritated skin.
Wear light-colored long pants and long sleeve shirts to cover exposed skin.
Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for extended periods of time.
Fight Mosquitoes
Repair holes in door and window screens.
Add sand to plant pot drip trays to absorb excess water.
Dispose of old tires, buckets, tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding
containers that have collected on your property.
Fill in or drain any low places (puddles, ruts) in the yard.
Keep drains, ditches, culverts and roof gutters clean of leaves, weeds and trash so water will drain properly.
Cover trash cans to keep out rainwater. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
Empty plastic wading pools four to five times a week and store indoors when not in use.
Tree rot holes and hollow stumps can hold water; make sure they are filled with sand or concrete.
Change water in birdbaths and plant pots or drip trays four to five times a week.
Turn over wheelbarrows to prevent them from collecting water.
Aerate ornamental pools and ponds, or stock them with fish. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use.
Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
Keep your grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house so that adult mosquitoes will not hide there.
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