History » FAQs Prevention Repellents		West Nile Virus FAQs What Is West Nile Virus? West Nile virus is a strain of encephalitis that can be transmitted by mosquitoes. "Encephalitis" means an inflammation of the brain. Following transmission by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus multiplies in the person's blood system and interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissue. West Nile virus is a "flavivirus" commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. How Is It Spread? The primary carriers of West Nile Virus are birds. Mosquitoes pick up the virus from birds and then pass it to humans and other animals through their bites. What Are The Symptoms? Encephalitis symptoms usually appear between 5 to 15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. In the early stages, symptoms may include: Severe headaches Fever Nausea and vomiting Disorientation Chills Muscle aches, pain, and/or stiffness If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention. How Is It Treated? Once diagnosed, patients with encephalitis may require hospitalization for close monitoring as symptoms and complications can be serious. Treatment will be determined based on a number of factors including age, condition and the form of the disease. Treatment options may include antibiotics, fluids, fever and pressure relief. Am I at Risk? The West Nile virus was first detected in New York City in September of 1999. Since then, the disease has been detected in birds in nearly every state east of the Mississippi River and parts of Canada. To date, over 80 severe cases have been reported and the disease has been responsible for at least 16 deaths. In addition, experts expect the West Nile Virus will continue to spread throughout the U.S., even as far as California. However, even in areas where mosquitoes do carry the virus, very few mosquitoes-much less than 1%-are infected. If the mosquito is infected, less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chance you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite is extremely small. Is It Fatal? Among those with severe illness due to West Nile virus, case-fatality rates range from 3% to 15% and are highest among the elderly. However, less than 1% of those infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness. Currently no vaccine is available, although the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded a development grant for further research. Where Can I Find More Information? For more information on West Nile Virus and how to prevent infection, visit the following web sites: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm National Pesticide Information Center http://ace.orst.edu/info/npic/wnv/ U.S. Geological Survey http://cindi.usgs.gov/hazard/event/west_nile/west_nile.html WPC Brands @ Repel Insect Repellent http://www.wpcbrands.com/	Check out the latest in innovative outdoor protection for the family and the sportsman from Repel.