West Nile -- a little knowledge goes a long way Published Aug. 29, 2012 By Lt. Col. (Dr.) Michael D. Landes 71st Medical Group Chief of Medical Staff VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe the virus is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. The disease spreads predominately through mosquitoes. The Culex mosquitoes are thought to be the principal carriers of West Nile. The Vance base entomologist has confirmed that there have been no mosquitoes positive for West Nile virus trapped on base so far. The drought has helped. But the weather is changing and a little knowledge and action can help protect you and your family. Approximately 80 percent of the people who are infected with the West Nile virus will show no signs or symptoms of the disease. The remaining 20 percent will display signs and symptoms which can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have been sick for several weeks. About one in 150 people infected with virus will develop severe illness. Severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent. To protect yourself and your family when outdoors, use insect repellents containing an Environmental Protection Agency registered insect repellent. Follow the directions on the package. Remember, many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. In addition to insect repellent, be sure to wear long sleeves and pants or consider staying indoors during these hours. Keep your living quarters safe by having good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Outdoors, get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and 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 not in use. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. In milder cases symptoms generally improve on their own, although illness may last weeks to months even in healthy persons. People do not necessarily need to seek medical attention for this infection, though they may choose to do so. In more severe cases, people are usually hospitalized for supportive treatment including intravenous fluids, help with breathing and nursing care. If you develop symptoms of severe West Nile virus illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are encouraged to talk to their doctor if they develop symptoms that could be West Nile virus. To schedule an appointment with the 71st Medical Group Clinic, call 580-213-7416. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for the second and fourth Thursdays each month. The Clinic then closes at 2 p.m. for Medical Readiness training. The CDC is working with state and local health departments, the Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies, as well as private industry, to prepare for and prevent new cases of West Nile virus. CDC action items include: Coordinating a nation-wide electronic database where states share information about West Nile virus Helping states develop and carry out improved mosquito prevention and control programs Developing better, faster tests to detect and diagnose West Nile virus Creating new education tools and programs for the media, the public and health professionals Opening new testing laboratories for West Nile virus Working with partners to develop vaccines