arizona department of health services west nile virus in arizona
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ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
WEST NILE VIRUS IN ARIZONA
WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV)? Mosquito-borne virus which occurs in
Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East
First appeared in U.S. in N.Y. in 1999, first appeared in Arizona in 2003
WNV can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord)
West Nile Virus Transmission CycleWest Nile Virus Transmission Cycle
West Nilevirus
West Nilevirus
Mosquito vector
Incidental infections
Bird reservoir hosts
Incidental infections
WNV TRANSMISSION Affects humans, horses, birds, and
others (tree squirrels, goats, llamas) Transmitted via infected mosquitoes Also transmitted through blood and
blood products, organ transplants from infected individuals, breast feeding and laboratory exposure
Blood supply is screened - since 7/03
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW? Everyone is at risk- ALL AGES You can “fight the bite” The chance of becoming seriously ill is
low Most people who are infected don’t get
sick or have very mild symptoms Approximately 20% may experience flu-
like symptoms lasting several days to many weeks (West Nile Fever)
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW? - continued There is no treatment specific for
human WNV infection (supportive care)
There is no vaccine for human WNV infection at this time
Infected mosquitoes are night biters Most new Arizona cases to date are
located within Maricopa County
SIGNS AND SYMTOMS Symptoms may include fever,
headache, swollen glands, muscle aches, fatigue and sometimes rash
Contact a health care provider if symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness or paralysis, seizures, confusion and/or disorientation
HOW DO I PREVENT WNV? Reduce the number of mosquitoes
around your home and in your neighborhood: Reduce or eliminate standing water Fix or install window and door screens
Take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites
MOSQUITO CONTROL Reduce or eliminate standing water
around your home, as mosquitoes breed in water: Dispose of or turn upside down any
cans, containers, or empty ceramic pots
Remove all discarded tires from your property
Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers kept outdoors
MOSQUITO CONTROL - continued
Change water in bird baths, pet dishes and flower pots at least 2x per week
Clean vegetation and debris from ponds
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, saunas and hot tubs
Turn over plastic wading pools, canoes,
wheelbarrows, etc. when not in use
MOSQUITO CONTROL - continued
Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property
Make sure gutters are cleaned and drained properly
Drain water from pool covers Repair leaky pipes and outside
faucets Drain evaporative coolers when not
in use during the monsoon season
COMMON BACKYARD BREEDING SOURCES
PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS Wear shoes and socks, long pants
and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors after dusk when mosquitoes are most active
Avoid outside activity at dusk and dawn during peak mosquito season
Use a mosquito repellent, according to directions when outdoors
REPELLENT Repellent can be applied onto clothing Don’t apply repellent to cuts, wounds
or irritated skin Be sure to wash it off after returning
indoors Don’t spray repellent in enclosed
areas Don’t spray directly onto your face
WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? Children are at risk for WNV illness Follow personal precaution
guidelines: Insect repellent should always be used
according to product label Check with your health care provider
for further information Keep repellents out of reach of children
ANIMALS & WNV Horses
Horses can be vaccinated against WNV See your large animal vet
Dogs & cats Very rare
Contact your veterinarian for information about pets and livestock
WHAT ARE HEALTH OFFICIALS DOING ABOUT WNV IN AZ? Monitoring WNV activity through:
Mosquito trapping and testing Dead bird testing Sick horse reporting Sentinel chicken testing Conducting mosquito control in higher risk
areas Monitoring human cases
State, local county and tribal agencies are working together to prevent WNV
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION www.westnileaz.com Your local health department Maricopa County
West Nile Virus hotline (602) 747-7500 Fogging Hotline (602) 372-3000
Arizona Department of Health Services West Nile Virus hotline: Metro Phoenix (602) 364-4500 Outside of Maricopa County 1-800-314-9243