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  1. Summary
  2. The Virus Cycle
  3. Effects on Humans
  4. Prevention & Mosquito Control
 

Affects on Humans

Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito are unaware that they have acquired the virus and will show no symptoms. Their immune systems appear to successfully fight the virus, and it is generally believed that they will be immune for life. Others may show only mild, flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and body ache. But for about one in 150 people infected, the virus can result in serious medical problems or death. It is in these extreme cases that people are likely to experience encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (an inflammation of membrane) that surround the brain and spinal cord). Symptoms include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and coma. Symptoms are usually evident three to 14 days after a person has been infected. At this time, there is no specific treatment for West Nile disease.

The risk of a severe infection is believed to be greatest for people over the age of 50 and also those with weakened immune systems. Last year in Canada, it is believed that 11 people died from West Nile in Ontario and Quebec, while 384 people required hospitalization. In the U.S., more than 4,000 people were hospitalized, of which 254 died. Many of those hospitalized developed polio like paralysis and require extensive rehabilitation.

There is ongoing work to develop a human vaccine, but it may be several years away.

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Page 4: Prevention & Mosquito Control >>

 

 
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