West Nile Virus

There have been five confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Tennessee, with three of those being in Shelby County. Officials from the Shelby County Vector Control Program confirmed that mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been found in all zip codes in the county. Parents will need to continue to use repellants to protect themselves and their children anytime they might be exposed.

We talked to Dr. Sandy Arnold, infectious disease specialist at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, about some of the facts parents should know about West Nile virus (WNV). Here's what she had to say.

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?
Most people develop symptoms within three to 14 days of infection; 80 percent of people who are infected will show no symptoms at all. Symptoms include an illness with fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting. Some can have swollen lymph nodes or a skin rash. Most people recover within a few days although symptoms can linger for longer in some people. If severe symptoms that include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, lethargy or confusion occur, see your pediatrician immediately.

How likely is it that I could get WNV?
It is difficult to say what the risk of an individual getting WNV infection is. State health departments monitor mosquitoes and birds for infection. People are at greater risk in areas where there have been more identifications of WNV in birds and mosquitoes.

As of this week, there have been five human cases of WNV in Tennessee, three of which were in Shelby County. Shelby County is the only county with mosquito pools that are positive for WNV, which explains why most of the human cases in Tennessee have been here.

How do I protect myself and my family from WNV infection?
Because WNV is spread by mosquitoes, the only way to prevent infection is by reducing exposure to them. You can take the following precautions:

• Anytime you are outside, use a recommended insect repellent that contains DEET. You can also wear long sleeves and long pants to reduce the risk of bites. If you plan to spend a long time outdoors, you can soak your clothing in permethrin, which will provide extra protection.
• Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk. You can significantly reduce your mosquito exposure by avoiding being outdoors at these times. If you need to be outdoors at these times, make sure you use insect repellent.
• Keep windows and doors closed to keep mosquitos out of your house. Make sure you don't have any holes in your screens if you are opening windows.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding areas by eliminating standing water from around your house. Clear away unnecessary containers. Turn over pots, buckets, kids pools, etc., so that water cannot accumulate.