Is West Nile Virus a Threat in Your Area This Year?

-- If possible, cover up; wear long-sleeves and pants when outdoors.

-- Stay inside between sunset and sunrise, when mosquitoes are more prevalent.

-- Install or repair screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out.

-- Investigate and support your community’s mosquito-control program (many communities practice integrated pest management; for details, see www.beyondpesticides.org).

Know the Differences Between Mild and Severe Infection

Since avoiding mosquitoes entirely is nearly impossible, the good news is that West Nile Virus is not a major health concern for most people, first because it is not contagious, and, second, because it tends to be asymptomatic. Among the one in five persons who do fall ill, typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, aches and pains, and, in some cases, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash on the trunk of the body. These symptoms generally last for only a few days, but in some cases can linger for a few weeks.