West Nile Virus: Important Facts

  • Published
  • 4th Medical Group
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The United States is currently experiencing the highest number of West Nile Virus disease cases this year.

Disease cases reported through the first week of September to the Centers for Disease Control showed a spike in cases this year. Two deaths have been reported, the first deaths in North Carolina caused by WNV since 2005.

Approximately four out of five people infected with WNV, will show no symptoms at all.

Avoiding mosquito bites is the easiest and best way to prevent WNV. Basic personal preventative measures include:

· Using insect repellent according to the directions on the packaging.
· Staying indoors during dusk and dawn (mosquito activity is high during these times)
· Wearing long sleeves and pants to avoid being bitten.

You can also help protect yourself by ensuring screens on windows and doors are in good condition to keep mosquitoes from entering living areas. Additionally, limiting mosquito breeding areas by removing standing water sources from around the home (flower pots, buckets, barrels and ditches) is key to reducing the amount of mosquitoes.

For more information, please visit the CDC's website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.