What types of control measures have been used to manage West Nile Virus?

Personal protective measures include use of mosquito repellents, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and limiting outdoor exposure from dusk to dawn. Using air conditioning, installing window and door screens, and reducing mosquito breeding sites around the home, can further decrease the risk for WNV exposure.

What is the isolation precaution for West Nile virus?

Avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animal. If you are disposing of a dead bird, use gloves or double plastic bags to place the carcass in a garbage can. Through eating infected animals, including birds. Always follow instructions for fully cooking meat.

Where would you go to find out more about West Nile virus?

WNV is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. WNV is maintained in nature in a cycle involving transmission between birds and mosquitoes. Humans, horses and other mammals can be infected.

Is West Nile Virus self limiting?

Clinical presentation The majority (>80%) of WNV infections are asymptomatic. Symptomatic infections are primarily a mild, self-limiting febrile illness. However, approximately 1% of infected persons develop neurologic infections and disease.

How does West Nile virus spread in the body?

West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected female mosquito. The mosquitoes get the virus when they bite an infected bird. Crows and jays are the most common birds linked to the virus. But at least 110 other bird species also have the virus.

What part of the body does West Nile virus affect?

West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness that can attack the nervous system of animals and humans. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissue.

What are the long-term effects of West Nile virus?

The most common long-term effects are depression, tremors, fatigue, memory problems, extremity weakness, word-finding difficulty and headaches. Since WNV arrived in North America in 1999, it has become the most common arboviral infection in the continent.

What is the West Nile virus preparedness and prevention plan?

The West Nile Virus Preparedness and Prevention Plan is a technical reference document to assist Ontario’s public health units (PHUs) with the implementation of the Control of West Nile Virus Regulation 199/03 (O.Reg. 199/03) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. 1,2

How is aerial spraying used to treat the West Nile virus?

When people in a large area are getting sick from a virus spread by mosquitoes, or when large numbers of mosquitoes are found, airplanes can be used to treat very large areas with insecticides safely, quickly, and efficiently. This process is called aerial spraying.

How is the West Nile virus spread to humans?

West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borne virus maintained and amplified in nature in an enzootic cycle between birds and mosquitoes which, under certain conditions, can spill over to humans and equines.

What should I wear if I have West Nile virus?

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Treat clothing and gear. Use permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.