West Nile Virus

About 70 per cent to 80 per cent of infected people with WNV do not develop any symptoms. For those who do develop symptoms, they will usually appear within 2 to 15 days after infection.

Mild symptoms include:

• Headache
• Body aches
• Joint pains
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash

Less than one per cent of people who are infected may develop meningitis or encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Ten per cent of people who develop neurologic infection die.

Severe symptoms include:

• severe headache
• high fever
• stiff neck
• nausea and/or vomiting
• trouble swallowing
• drowsiness
• confusion

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of WNV is based on symptoms and a known exposure to mosquitoes.

Testing

Blood or spinal fluid testing can be used to confirm WNV infection.

Treatment

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for WNV infection. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever and relieve some symptoms. In severe cases, patients may need to go to the hospital to get treatment. This could include:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Pain medication
• Nursing care

The most effective way to avoid WNV infection is to prevent mosquito bites. Be aware of the West Nile virus activity in your area. Take action to protect yourself and your family.

You can reduce your risk of being infected with WNV by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites, and eliminating stagnant water on your property.

A bite of an infected mosquito spreads WNV.

WNV cannot spread from animal-to-person contact. West Nile virus cannot generally spread from person to person.

The Durham Region Health Department conducts surveillance and control activities for WNV. These include:

• Larviciding roadside catch basins.
• Larviciding stagnant surface water sites.
• Trapping adult mosquitoes and sending them in for identification and testing.
• Investigating human cases of WNV disease.

• Public Health Ontario
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization

Residents can report stagnant water on private property by contacting their local municipal by-law office.

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