West Nile Virus Surveillance Program
Health Risks for Humans
- Birds are more likely to be infected than humans;
- Birds are more likely than humans to become ill
- Most mosquitoes are not infected;
- In northern areas the highest risk of virus transmission in humans is in August and September;
- Most people infected do not become ill;
- Older and immuno-compromised individuals are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill;
- Most fatal cases occur in people over 50 years old.
- Children are not in a higher risk group.
West Nile Fever
- Asymptomatic to mild illness;
- Incubation period 5-15 days;
- Moderate to high fever, influenza-like illness with abrupt onset;
- Headache, sore throat, backache, myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, vomiting, conjunctivitis;
- Rash, lymphadenophathy;
- Acute aseptic meningitis or encephalitis
Clinical Trials for Treating West Nile Virus Disease
