At least 33 states have reported nearly 290 cases of West Nile virus since May of this year.
Two people have died in New Jersey from the West Nile virus, officials said, bringing the number of deaths from the deadly disease in the United States to five. The deaths of a person in their 50s and another older person were among six new cases reported by the New Jersey Department of Health, health officials said.
Another person in Wisconsin has been hospitalized due to the mosquito-borne illness. In Lake County, Illinois, three people have tested positive for the virus in the past seven days.
“The best way to prevent these diseases is to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing or gear, and avoiding peak mosquito times,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Kaitlan Baston told reporters.
At least 33 states have reported nearly 290 cases of West Nile virus — which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito — since the first case was reported in May of this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cases occur during the vector season, which begins in the summer and continues into the fall, the CDC said.
What is West Nile virus?
West Nile virus is an arbovirus, a virus that is transmitted from an arthropod, a large group that includes insects. It is an RNA virus of the genus flavivirus which also causes dengue, yellow fever and Zika.
West Nile virus is named after the district in Uganda where it was first identified. According to experts, most infected people do not have symptoms, but about one in five develop flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, the virus infects the nervous system and causes severe inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, leading to encephalitis or meningitis.
According to experts, the virus multiplies inside the mosquito and is transmitted through its bite. The incubation period (the time until symptoms appear) is usually two to six days after the bite. In very few cases, West Nile virus has spread:
- From a pregnant person to her fetus
- Through human milk
- Through a blood transfusion
- Through an organ transplant.
There are no vaccines to prevent West Nile virus and no medications to treat its symptoms, the CDC said.
Signs and symptoms
Some common symptoms of West Nile virus include:
- High fever
- Severe and intense headaches
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rashes on the body
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Sore throat
- Pain behind the eyes
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle movements that you cannot control, including tremors and seizures.
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Coma
How to protect yourself?
Doctors say the best way to reduce your risk is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Some ways to do this include:
- Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially early in the morning and around dusk.
- Spray insect repellent on exposed skin or clothing before going outdoors.
- Wear lightweight clothing such as long pants or a long-sleeved shirt to cover more of your body when outdoors.
- Periodically empty and clean any areas that may collect water, such as bird baths or clogged rain gutters.
- Keep doors and windows closed or protected with mosquito nets.
- Sleep with the windows closed whenever possible.
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