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West Nile Virus: What You Need To Know

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What is West Nile Virus?

A potentially serious illness that affects the central nervous system in birds, horses and people.

How do you catch it?

  • From mosquito bites. Not all mosquitoes are infected.
  • A small number of cases come from transfusions, organ transplants and similar contact.
  • WNV is not spread through casual contact, like touching or kissing. Infected people can get develop symptoms 3 to 14 days after they are bitten by an infected mosquito.

What are the symptoms?

  • Most people infected with WNV (approximately 80%) have no symptoms.
  • Some infected people (up to 20%) have mild symptoms that last a few days: Fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting, sometimes swollen lymph glands or a rash on chest, stomach and back.
  • A few people, about 1 in 150 who are infected, may develop a severe illness: High fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

What can I do about it?

Prevent mosquito bites.
  • Use insect repellents containing DEET.
  • Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Wear clothing that covers arms and legs, and wear light colors to help you see mosquitoes that land on you.
  • Keep window screens and screen doors in good repair.
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites.
  • Empty standing water from flower pots, buckets, barrels.
  • Change the water in pet dishes.
  • Get rid of old tires and other refuse that can hold water.
  • Drill drainage holes in tire swings.
  • Empty children's wading pools when not in use and store them on their sides.
  • Replace water in bird baths weekly.
  • Treat pools and ponds.
  • Clean out gutters and downspouts so water can't collect.
Report dead birds to the Minnesota Department of Health
  • Call 651-215-5800
  • A small percentage of birds will be tested. If you do not hear from the Department of Health within 2 days, you can dispose of the bird by placing it in the regular trash.

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