Health officials have been troubled by the discovery of Mosquitoes infected by the West Nile Virus in Indiana’s Marion County. The discovery was announced by the county’s health department after mosquitoes that has been trapped in a surveillance trap was found to contain the deadly virus. Till date, there have been no reports of any citizen in the county who had been infected by a virus.
The West Nile Virus like Plasmodium pathogen is transmitted by the Female mosquitoes. The virus is injected into the humans when the arthropods feed on the bloods of humans. All the three Mosquitoes species in the US, Culex pipes, Culex tarsals and Culex Quinquefasciatus are potential carriers of the virus. West Nile virus are found in both birds and mosquitoes, are transferred from one another.
Humans can acquire this disease in a lesser degree during blood transfusions, organ transplants and from infected mothers to their babies during pregnancy or breast feeding. The virus can also be acquired from hospitals and laboratories.
The CDC reports that 70 to 80% of the persons who have been infected by the virus remain asymptomatic. The disease manifests in some persons with symptoms ranging from febrile, body aches, joint pains, and nausea, diarrhea and skin rashes. However 1% of patients can suffer from severe neurological illness which could include encephalitis and meningitis.
There are no vaccines for the disease and treatment includes supportive measures like use of analgesics and antipyretics to tackle high fever and myalgia. More severe patients could require hospitalization and the administration of i-v fluids.
Health department spokesman has advised residents to take the necessary precautions which include ensuring that no body parts are exposed for a bite by mosquitoes. People should apply approved repellent formulations that contain DEET or IR535 and remove stagnant water from old tires, bird baths, blocked gutters and puddles.
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