How does the West Nile virus travel?
How does the West Nile virus travel?
West Nile virus is mainly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. However, there have been a very small number of cases where the virus was spread by blood transfusion, organ donation, or from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth, or when breastfeeding.
How did West Nile virus get to the United States?
The West Nile virus quickly spread across the United States after the first reported cases in Queens, New York in 1999. The virus is believed to have entered in an infected bird or mosquito, although there is no clear evidence. The disease spread quickly through infected birds. Mosquitoes spread the disease to mammals.
Is West Nile virus in every state?
West Nile Virus has been detected in all conterminous states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam have no reported cases of West Nile virus in humans or animals. Distribution maps are available from the Centers for Disease Control.
What are the environmental forces behind the emergence of West Nile encephalitis in the United States?
The establishment and transmission of WNV is determined by a number of factors: the presence of susceptible avian hosts, infected (viremic) birds, and local (amplifying) birds; abundant competent mosquito vectors that feed on birds and bridge vectors that feed both on birds and humans/horses; and finally interactions …
Do mosquitoes in the US carry West Nile virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.
How does the West Nile virus affect the environment?
Mild winters and drought have been associated with West Nile virus disease outbreaks,5,6 while rainfall can also contribute by creating breeding sites for mosquitoes. Climate is just one of many important factors that influence the transmission, distribution, and incidence of West Nile virus disease.
How did the West Nile virus get to the United States?
What should you do if you have West Nile virus?
From handling live or dead infected birds. Avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animal. If you are disposing of a dead bird, use gloves or double plastic bags to place the carcass in a garbage can. Through eating infected birds or animals. Always follow instructions for fully cooking meat from either birds or mammals.
How long is the incubation period for West Nile virus?
Serious illness can occur in people of any age, however people over the age of 50 and some immunocompromised persons (for example, transplant patients) are at the highest risk for getting severely ill when infected with WNV. The incubation period is usually 3 to 14 days. virus isolation by cell culture.
How long does it take to recover from West Nile?
Recovery from neuroinvasive disease might take weeks or months, because people may need rehabilitative therapy to relearn basic skills, such as walking or feeding themselves, Green said. The most definitive test for West Nile virus is a spinal tap (lumbar puncture), Green said.