Mosquito bites are disturbing as it are, but there could be a mosquito bite that could change your life forever. This is the reality posed by the West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne threat that has seen a concerning rise in cases across several regions. West Nile Virus (WNV) is said to occur more frequently “from July through early September”, which is tagged as the mosquito months, as per the Boston Children’s Hospital.
It’s usually spread by the Culex mosquito and can be anything from a mild illness you barely notice to serious brain-related diseases. With all the recent cases on West Nile virus making headlines, this article is here to give you the lowdown on what the West Nile virus is, how it spreads, the symptoms to watch out for, and how you can protect yourself.
West Nile Virus Outbreak: Recent Happenings
As stated by Texas Health and Human Services, “the first case of West Nile in 2024 was reported in a Montgomery County resident who has been diagnosed with West Nile fever.” Recently, there have been some notable spikes in West Nile virus cases. In Illinois, the first human case of 2024 was reported in mid-June. The person, who’s in their 60s, lives in suburban Cook County. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been tracking positive batches of birds and mosquitoes in 33 counties, which means the virus is present in these areas. Last year, Illinois saw 119 human cases of West Nile virus, way up from 34 cases in 2022, with six deaths reported.
In Colorado, the first case of the year was also reported earlier than usual. A woman from Arapahoe County tested positive, hinting at increased mosquito activity in the area. In 2023, Colorado had the worst West Nile virus outbreak in the U.S., with 50 deaths and many hospitalizations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, as of July 30th, 2024, there have been 72 cases of West Nile virus across 18 states in the U.S. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Arkansas: 2
- Arizona: 4
- California: 2
- Illinois: 1
- Indiana: 2
- Kansas: 3
- Louisiana: 8
- Maryland: 1
- Minnesota: 1
- Mississippi: 1
- North Carolina: 2
- North Dakota: 2
- Nebraska: 10
- Nevada: 11
- Oklahoma: 4
- Pennsylvania: 2
- South Dakota: 2
- Tennessee: 2
- Texas: 12
Understanding West Nile Virus
What is the West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a disease which is spread by mosquitoes that belong to the Culicidae family. It was first discovered in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. While this virus mostly affects birds, it can also infect humans, horses, and other animals.
Typically, birds are the main hosts for the virus. These birds are actually natural hosts for this virus. Particularly, the Culex mosquitoes can bite on these infected birds and pick up the virus. Once the mosquito has the virus, it can spread it to humans and other animals through its bites. The virus enters the bloodstream and can make a person or animal sick.
However, there are other rare ways the virus can spread, like through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Many people who get infected with this virus don’t show any symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms, they might include fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, nausea, vomiting, or a rash. These usually only last a few days, but sometimes they can hang around for a couple of weeks.
In rare cases, the virus can lead to more serious problems, like inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). If this happens, you might experience high fever, a stiff neck, confusion, tremors, seizures, or even paralysis. These severe symptoms are much more serious and can be life-threatening, especially for older people or those with weakened immune systems.
What is Being Done About The Virus?
At the moment, there is no cure for West Nile Virus. However, different counties are putting in place preventive measures to help their residents fight these pesky mosquito bites.
That’s where strategies like the “Four Ds of Defense” come in. The “Four Ds of Defense” is a strategy set by the DuPage County Health Department, and they’re encouraging everyone to follow it. Each “D” stands for a preventive step: drain standing water, defend by using insect repellent, dress in protective clothing, and be cautious during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
Bottom Line
Mosquito bites can be more than just annoying; they can actually give you West Nile virus, which has been on the rise lately. This virus is mostly spread by the Culex mosquito and can range from mild symptoms to serious brain-related diseases. There’s no specific cure, so it’s important to know how it spreads and how to protect yourself. Key strategies people have been advised to adopt are the “Four Ds of Defense”, which include draining standing water, using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and being extra careful during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
