July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training

a potentially serious illness spread through mosquitoes seasonal, occurring in the summer and fall. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training What Is West Nile Virus?

Serious Symptoms in a Few People. Milder Symptoms in Some People. No Symptoms in Most People. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training What happens if I am bit by a mosquito with West Nile Virus?

Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training No Symptoms in Most People

Fever Headache body aches Nausea Vomiting swollen lymph glands skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training Milder Symptoms in Some People Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.

About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training Serious Symptoms High fever Headache Neck stiffness Stupor Disorientation Coma Tremors Convulsions Muscle weakness Vision loss Numbness Paralysis These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

Infected Mosquitoes This is the most common spread of the virus. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training How Does West Nile Virus Spread?

In a very small number of cases Transfusions Transplants Mother-to-Child Pregnancy Breastfeeding July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training How ELSE Does West Nile Virus Spread?

Not through touching. WNV is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training How is West Nile Virus NOT Spread?

The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training What Can I Do to Prevent WNV?

Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. During these hours Use insect repellent Wear long sleeves and pants Consider staying indoors Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training Prevent mosquito bites

Get rid of mosquito breeding sites Empty standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes Replace the water in bird baths weekly Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training Eliminate mosquitoes

A vaccine is available to protect horses from West Nile virus. No vaccine is available for humans, but work to develop a human vaccine is under way. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training Can’t I just get a vaccine?

Signs and symptoms of West Nile fever usually last a few days. Signs and symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis can linger for weeks. Certain neurological effects, such as muscle weakness, may be permanent. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training How long will the infection last?

People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training How Soon Do Infected People Get Sick?

There is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus infection. Milder symptoms, such as fever and aches, will pass on their own. Even healthy people may be sick for several weeks. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training How Is WNV Infection Treated?

FOR SEVERE INFECTIONS Treatment is in the hospital for supportive treatment Intravenous fluids Help with breathing Nursing care THERE IS NO SPECIFIC TREATMENT July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training How Is WNV Infection Treated?

Research is being done On a type of immune cell therapy For use in West Nile Encephalitis (brain inflammation) Early research shows some improved recovery In some who use interferon. But study is not complete. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training Interferon therapy

Milder WNV illness improves on its own It is not necessarily need to seek medical attention Severe WNV illness unusually severe headaches or confusion seek medical attention immediately Severe WNV illness usually requires hospitalization July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training What Should I Do if I Think I Have WNV?

People over 50 at higher risk to get severe illness. Being outside means you're at risk. The more time you're outdoors, the more time you could be bitten by an infected mosquito. Risk through medical procedures is very low. All donated blood is checked for WNV before being used. The risk of getting WNV through blood transfusions and organ transplants is very small. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training Who is most at risk for WNV infection

If you find a dead bird: Don't handle the body with your bare hands. Contact your local health department for instructions on reporting and disposing of the body. They may tell you to dispose of the bird after they log your report. July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training What Else Should I Know?

INFORMATION: Coordinating a nation-wide electronic database where states share information about WNV PREVENTION: Helping states develop and carry out improved mosquito prevention and control programs TESTING: Developing better, faster tests to detect and diagnose WNV Opening new testing laboratories for WNV EDUCATING: Creating new education tools and programs for the media, the public, and health professionals RESEARCH: Working with partners on the development of vaccines July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training What Is the CDC Doing About WNV?

July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training In Summary West Nile Virus is transmitted primarily by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most of the infections are mild, but they can be life threatening. There is no definitive treatment for West Nile Virus. The best approach is prevention through Eliminating breeding sites Taking precautions against being bitten by a mosquito.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) July 2011 Indiana FCRV Disaster and Safety Awareness Training Content source For more information call the CDC public response hotline at (888) (English), (888) (Español), or (866) (TTY)