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

West Nile virus infection of the brain and nervous system is rare but potentially deadly. Symptoms include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. Such illnesses include West Nile encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and West Nile poliomyelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord that causes sudden weakness and/or paralysis in the limbs and/or breathing muscles). Severe disease may last several weeks and can be fatal. Because there is no specific treatment available for West Nile Virus infection, prevention of mosquito bites is critical.

“While West Nile virus is not a concern in most cases, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of severe infection and to seek immediate medical attention if those symptoms arise,” Keaton advised.

Source: ACEP