West Nile Infection Rate Still Climbing

By Author: David Juan
Total Articles: 90
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Make sure you wear long pants and shirts when outside
between sunset and sunrise.

At least that's the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).

It seems that the number of West Nile cases is on the rise.

The CDC reported that, in 2009, there were 720 confirmed
cases of West Nile and 32 fatalities.

In 2010, numbers were up, with 1,021 confirmed cases and 57 deaths.

Peak mosquito season is in August and September and the
number of West Nile cases is expected to rise even more in
2011.

If you are infected with West Nile, you can experience
symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea,
and
vomiting.

These symptoms can last a few days or several
weeks.

So who is most at risk for contracting West Nile? A recent
study performed in Suffolk County, New York, explored
the association between the risk of West Nile and habitat,
landscape, virus activity, and socioeconomic variables.

After reviewing data from the time period between 2000
and 2004, researchers ...
... found that middle-class suburban
neighborhoods are the areas with the highest West Nile
human risk.

These results contrast with similar studies from the
southern and western U.S., where the highest West Nile
risk was associated with low income areas.

Fortunately, only about one percent of people infected with
the virus develop a severe illness. High fever, headache,
neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors,
convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and
paralysis are some of the symptoms of a severe case of
West Nile.
Again, these symptoms may last several weeks.

In rare cases, the West Nile virus can enter the brain. It can
then cause deadly diseases such as encephalitis or
meningitis.

There are a few precautions you can take, especially if you
live in a suburban neighborhood, to avoid contracting the
virus.

The best health advice is to wear long pants and
sleeves, especially around dusk, as mentioned. Use insect
repellant (try citronella spray, which is a natural repellant).
Get rid of any standing water around your house.

Mosquitoes love to breed in still water.

And keep screens on doors and windows in good repair. You can also get
your doctors advice about preventing West Nile infections.

Following these simple guidelines should help you enjoy
the rest of the summer, free of worries about West Nile.

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