It may surprise you to learn that mosquitoes are by far the world’s deadliest animal due to the diseases they spread through their bites. One of the more common mosquito-borne diseases is West Nile Virus. These eight facts about West Nile Virus will help you get up to speed on this dangerous disease.
1. According to the Canadian Government, there were 200 cases of West Nile Virus reported in 2017, and there were only 104 cases reported in 2016. That means the number of reported West Nile Virus cases almost doubled in just one year. Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/west-nile-virus/surveillance-west-nile-virus.html
2. West Nile Virus is most prevalent in summer through fall months, and cases sharply decline during the winter when mosquitoes go dormant. It’s important to be extra vigilant against mosquito bites in summer and fall months.
3. Only about one in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus will develop severe illness. Symptoms of West Nile Virus include a high fever, disorientation, neck stiffness, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, coma, vision loss, and paralysis, among others. In severe cases, the neurological effects of West Nile Virus may be permanent.
4. About 80% of people infected with West Nile Virus won’t show any symptoms at all. Some only present mild symptoms such as headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and a skin rash on the chest, stomach, or back.
5. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile Virus for humans. People infected with West Nile Virus should seek medical care immediately, where they will receive supportive treatment for their symptoms.
6. West Nile Virus is a type of virus called a flavivirus. Other types of flavivirus include Dengue virus, yellow fever virus, and Zika virus.
7. West Nile Virus cannot be spread by touching, kissing, or casual contact.
8. The best way to prevent West Nile Virus is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Mosquito Authority specializes in eliminating mosquitoes from your yard and guarantees that you won’t be bitten by mosquitoes in between treatments.
The more you know about West Nile Virus, the better you can protect yourself and your family from contracting it. Mosquito Authority’s mission is to protect our community from mosquito-borne illnesses and educate the public about the dangers of mosquito bites. Call Mosquito Authority today to schedule your first treatment and take back your yard, patio, and pool from mosquitoes.
