What You Need to Know about West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus (WNV) in Arizona and throughout the US. Currently there is an outbreak of WNV in Maricopa County.

• WNV season occurs from May to October. 
• Symptoms of WNV infection can include fever, headache, stiff neck, and body aches to more severe illness such as injury to the brain or spinal cord, confusion and seizures. 
• Severe illness is more common among those over 60 years of age and can be fatal in one out of every 10 cases. 
• WNV infection is treated with supportive care and symptom therapy.
• Mosquitoes get WNV from biting infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to other birds, humans, and other animals. WNV is not spread person-to-person or bird to person. 

Avoid mosquito bites to protect yourself from WNV and other diseases spread by mosquitoes.  Follow these steps:

• When outdoors, apply an insect repellent approved by the EPA by following the label instructions.
• Apply repellent especially at dawn and dusk as well as during the daytime or wear long sleeves and trousers.
• Make sure screens are used and intact to keep mosquitoes out if doors or windows are open.
• Dump or treat all standing water near and inside your home, where mosquitoes can breed.

More information can be found at the links below:

The Arizona Department of Health Service’s Web site at https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/mosquito-borne/west-nile-virus/index.php

Arizona-specific human WNV statistics are available here:https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/mosquito-borne/west-nile-virus/index.php#information

Maricopa County Vector Control statistics can be found here: https://www.maricopa.gov/2476/Mosquito-Borne-Disease-Statistics

Call your local health department for additional information https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/index.php#resources-county  

CDC West Nile Virus page can also be found at https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html