Health authorities in multiple states in the US are expressing apprehension regarding the West Nile virus due to the discovery of cases, including fatalities, among their residents.
This year, for the first time, counties in Georgia, Maryland, and Texas have identified infections. Kansas, in response, is raising its preparedness level to high across nearly the entire state. This week, the Maryland Department of Health disclosed that an adult residing in the Eastern Shore region, which is part of the Delmarva Peninsula, has tested positive for the virus.
Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, stated that they were in the season when the West Nile virus could spread in Maryland. He urged people to be vigilant and take steps to avoid infection and eliminate standing pools of water where mosquitoes could breed. He also mentioned that their teams were continuing to monitor mosquito activity across the state.
In the meantime, five out of the six regions within Kansas, as designated by the Kansas Department of Health, have been classified as high-risk areas. This designation indicates that residents in these regions face a significantly elevated risk of mosquito bites from infected mosquitoes.
Kansas has recorded a total of 22 cases this year, with 17 of them classified as neuroinvasive cases, signifying that the virus has impacted the nervous system.
Dr. Erin Petro, the state's public health veterinarian, stated in a release that Kansas is currently within the peak time frame for WNV transmission. With a higher level of virus activity this year compared to the past several years, she emphasized the significance of implementing mosquito bite prevention measures to safeguard oneself, one's family, and livestock from all mosquito-borne illnesses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus stands as the primary culprit behind mosquito-borne illnesses within the contiguous United States. This virus was first introduced in Western Hemisphere in the summer of 1999, following diagnoses in individuals residing in New York City.
According to the federal health agency, mosquitoes usually contract the virus when they feed on infected birds, and subsequently transmit it to humans and other animals.
While the virus often doesn't produce noticeable symptoms in most individuals, approximately one out of every five people may develop symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash. While most of these symptoms resolve on their own, some individuals may experience lingering weakness and fatigue for several weeks or even months.
Roughly 1 in 150 individuals will experience severe illness stemming from West Nile virus infection, resulting in conditions like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord). These severe cases can have fatal outcomes.
As of now, there are no vaccines or targeted remedies accessible for West Nile virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises affected individuals to prioritize rest, adequate hydration, and over-the-counter medications. In instances of severe illness, hospitalization is often necessary, along with supportive measures such as intravenous fluid administration.
