There have been several cases of West Nile virus in California this summer

There have been several cases of West Nile virus in California this summer. To date, there have been over 250 cases and several deaths caused by the mosquito-borne virus. The disease has been found in the Claremont community.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Eighty percent of persons infected will not exhibit any symptoms. Twenty per cent of humans infected with West Nile virus will develop a milder form of the disease, West Nile fever, manifested by fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle aches, rash or swollen lymph nodes. Of the twenty per cent who become ill, 1/150 will develop severe neurological symptoms of West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, with stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, severe muscle weakness or paralysis.

Persons older than 50 years of age or those who have compromised immune systems are most likely to contract the disease.

Treatment is supportive only. There are no effective anti-viral medications available.

Prevention of mosquito bites is most important to minimize the risk of contracting the disease. The following measures should be followed:

1) Apply insect repellent containing DEET to exposed skin, especially if you are outdoors between
dusk and dawn.

2) Wear long pants/long sleeves if possible.

3) Permethrin sprays can be applied to clothing.

4) Manage the environment by fixing all window screens and getting rid of any standing pools of water.

More information about the disease is available from the CDC (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (http://lapublichealth.org/acd/VectorWestNile.htm)

If you have any questions, contact the Student Health Service at 621-8222 or your health care provider.

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