ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

WEST NILE VIRUS IN ARIZONA

WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV)? Mosquito-borne virus which occurs in

Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East

First appeared in U.S. in N.Y. in 1999, first appeared in Arizona in 2003

WNV can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord)

West Nile Virus Transmission CycleWest Nile Virus Transmission Cycle

West Nilevirus

West Nilevirus

Mosquito vector

Incidental infections

Bird reservoir hosts

Incidental infections

WNV TRANSMISSION Affects humans, horses, birds, and

others (tree squirrels, goats, llamas) Transmitted via infected mosquitoes Also transmitted through blood and

blood products, organ transplants from infected individuals, breast feeding and laboratory exposure

Blood supply is screened - since 7/03

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW? Everyone is at risk- ALL AGES You can “fight the bite” The chance of becoming seriously ill is

low Most people who are infected don’t get

sick or have very mild symptoms Approximately 20% may experience flu-

like symptoms lasting several days to many weeks (West Nile Fever)

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW? - continued There is no treatment specific for

human WNV infection (supportive care)

There is no vaccine for human WNV infection at this time

Infected mosquitoes are night biters Most new Arizona cases to date are

located within Maricopa County

SIGNS AND SYMTOMS Symptoms may include fever,

headache, swollen glands, muscle aches, fatigue and sometimes rash

Contact a health care provider if symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness or paralysis, seizures, confusion and/or disorientation

HOW DO I PREVENT WNV? Reduce the number of mosquitoes

around your home and in your neighborhood: Reduce or eliminate standing water Fix or install window and door screens

Take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites

MOSQUITO CONTROL Reduce or eliminate standing water

around your home, as mosquitoes breed in water: Dispose of or turn upside down any

cans, containers, or empty ceramic pots

Remove all discarded tires from your property

Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers kept outdoors

MOSQUITO CONTROL - continued

Change water in bird baths, pet dishes and flower pots at least 2x per week

Clean vegetation and debris from ponds

Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, saunas and hot tubs

Turn over plastic wading pools, canoes,

wheelbarrows, etc. when not in use

MOSQUITO CONTROL - continued

Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property

Make sure gutters are cleaned and drained properly

Drain water from pool covers Repair leaky pipes and outside

faucets Drain evaporative coolers when not

in use during the monsoon season

COMMON BACKYARD BREEDING SOURCES

PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS Wear shoes and socks, long pants

and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors after dusk when mosquitoes are most active

Avoid outside activity at dusk and dawn during peak mosquito season

Use a mosquito repellent, according to directions when outdoors

REPELLENT Repellent can be applied onto clothing Don’t apply repellent to cuts, wounds

or irritated skin Be sure to wash it off after returning

indoors Don’t spray repellent in enclosed

areas Don’t spray directly onto your face

WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? Children are at risk for WNV illness Follow personal precaution

guidelines: Insect repellent should always be used

according to product label Check with your health care provider

for further information Keep repellents out of reach of children

ANIMALS & WNV Horses

Horses can be vaccinated against WNV See your large animal vet

Dogs & cats Very rare

Contact your veterinarian for information about pets and livestock

WHAT ARE HEALTH OFFICIALS DOING ABOUT WNV IN AZ? Monitoring WNV activity through:

Mosquito trapping and testing Dead bird testing Sick horse reporting Sentinel chicken testing Conducting mosquito control in higher risk

areas Monitoring human cases

State, local county and tribal agencies are working together to prevent WNV

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION www.westnileaz.com Your local health department Maricopa County

West Nile Virus hotline (602) 747-7500 Fogging Hotline (602) 372-3000

Arizona Department of Health Services West Nile Virus hotline: Metro Phoenix (602) 364-4500 Outside of Maricopa County 1-800-314-9243