Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
Context
Russia warned of a possible increase in West Nile virus infections this autumn as mild temperatures and heavy precipitation create favourable conditions for the mosquitos that carry it.
What is West Nile Virus?
- West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.
- Originally from Africa, the virus has spread in Europe, Asia and North America.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
Transmission
- It is mainly transmitted through mosquito bites and can lead to a fatal neurological disease in humans, although most people infected never develop any symptoms.
- About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms.
- About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
- A person can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.
Treatment
- There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile virus in people.
