West Nile Virus

Information about West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus has been highly publicized this summer due to the outbreak of the disease in Louisiana and other parts of the country. According to public officials most people who are infected with the virus will have no symptoms or, at worst, mild symptoms, such as fever, aches and maybe swollen lymph nodes and a rash. Those with weakened immune systems and older people are most vulnerable. Evidence shows that the virus cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 1 percent of all mosquitoes carry the virus and fewer than 1 percent of the people who become infected after being bitten will develop encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.

To prevent the virus you should wear long sleeve shirts and pants, stay indoors around dawn and dusk, use insect repellent containing DEET and empty standing water every few days.

Below you will find links that will provide you with more information about the virus.

About the Disease: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/#about

Prevention: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/#prevention

Virginia Department of Health: www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/wnv.htm

Questions & Answers: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm

Latest News and articles:

MSNBC: www.msnbc.com/news/788671.asp
CNN News: www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/08/20/westnile/index.html
MEDLINEplus: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/westnilevirus.html

If you have questions about West Nile Virus, contact the General Medicine Triage Nurse at 982-3915.

Maintained by: studenthealth@virginia.edu Last Modified: Monday, 07-Nov-2005 10:09:53 EST © 2002 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia