DC Confirms First Human Case of West Nile Virus This Summer: Report

The District of Columbia’s health department has confirmed a human case of West Nile Virus, the first this year, according to a report last night by WUSA-9.

The patient has improved and was released from the hospital, the TV station reports.

West Nile virus is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

Most people (70-80 percent) who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

About one in five people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, the CDC notes. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.

Less than 1 percent of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues).

The most effective way to avoid West Nile virus disease is to prevent mosquito bites, according to the CDC. The CDC encourages residents to be aware of the West Nile virus activity in your area and take action to protect yourself and your family. Here are some tips from the CDC:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions.

More information about insect repellents can be found here.

• When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
• Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Use your air conditioning, if you have it.
• Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.

PHOTO of mosquito courtesy of CDC.gov