West
Nile fever
West Nile virus was
first isolated from a febrile adult woman in the West Nile District of Uganda
in 1937. The ecology was characterised in Egypt in the 1950s. The virus
became recognised as a cause of severe human meningoencephalitis (inflammation
of the spinal cord and brain) in elderly patients during an outbreak in
Israel in 1957.
Mosquitoes become infected
when they feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their
blood for a few days. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus
to humans and animals while biting to take blood. Distribution of WNF click
here
Manifestations:
Most infections are mild, and symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Skin rash
- Swollen lymph glands.
More severe infection
may be marked by:
- Headache
- High fever
- Neck stiffness
- Stupor
- Disorientation
- Coma
- Tremors
- Convulsions
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis
- Rarely, death
Diagnose and treatment:
Blood test
gives the diagnose. There is no specific treatment.
Prevent West Nile
Fever by:
- When outside, wear
long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
- Tuck your shirt
into your pants.
- Apply insect repellent
on uncovered skin and under the ends of sleeves and pant legs. Follow
the instructions on the label of the repellent. The most effective repellents
are those that contain the chemical DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide). The
concentration of DEET varies among repellents. Repellents with DEET concentrations
of 30-35% are quite effective, and the effect should last about 4 hours.
Lower concentrations should be used for children (no more than 10% DEET).
Repellents with DEET should be used sparingly on children from 2 to 6
years old and not at all on children less than 2 years old.
- Spray clothing with
permethrin-containing insecticides. The insecticide should be reapplied
after every five washings.
- Spray living and
sleeping areas with an insecticide to kill insects.
- Sleep in an area
that is well screened
- Sleep in air-conditioned
- Use a bed net and
tuck it under your mattress
- Use a bed net that
has been soaked in or sprayed with permethrin. The permethrin will be
effective for several months if the bed net is not washed.
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Updated
20-Feb-2003 • İtraveldoctorOnline 2001 •
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