Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Mosquitoes…For Minnesotans this cliché is definitely something we are not proud of, but a reality. The beautiful spring/summer weather is upon us, and with that brings those pesty disease transmitting insects (mosquitoes) that can make outdoor activities unbearable as well as unsafe for some of us if we don’t proceed with caution. The question is who will it affect? Because there is no specific age group, only some in higher risk categories, for our own safety, and in our own best interest we should all take precautions.
The West Nile virus was identified in Minnesota in 2002 for the first time; subsequently, 445 human cases (including 14 fatalities) were reported from 2002 to 2009. In Minnesota, 101 cases of West Nile were reported in 2007 (the highest total since 148 case were reported in 2003.) The virus is maintained in a mosquito–to–bird transmission cycle. Several mosquito and bird species are involved in the cycle. The mosquito becomes infected when it feeds off an infected bird. The infected mosquito then can spread it to humans and other animals when they bite(the most vulnerable animal still tends to be the horse) It is difficult to predict how many people will be infected in a given year due to the difficulty interpreting the effect of the weather on the virus transmission.
A report by the MN Dept of Health states the number of mosquitoes that are actually capable of causing infection in humans is relatively small, but it is always advisable to take preventive measures to protect yourself. The disease risk to humans will likely be higher in central and western Minnesota where the primary mosquito vector, Culex tarsalis, is most abundant.
Prevention: Being aware how to minimize your risk of the mosquito-transmitted disease and controlling mosquitoes is essential.
Avoid activity outdoors at peak mosquito feeding times (dusk & dawn).
Cover all exposed body parts if you are outdoors during these peak times (wear a long sleeved shirt and pants, socks etc).
Apply mosquito repellent that contains 30% DEET (10% for children) whenever outdoors
Eliminate water holding containers from your property, this will reduce the number of mosquitoes(e.g., waste tires, buckets, cans) as this provide mosquito breeding habitats
If you open your windows and doors, make sure there’s a good screen is in place.
Signs and symptoms: While the majority of people (80% or 4 out of 5) infected with West Nile virus do not possess any symptoms, approximately 20% of infected people will. Symptoms can develop between 2-15 days after being bitten by the infected mosquito.
Mild symptoms (which can last a few days to several weeks even in a “’always healthy” person can include: fever, headache, body aches., nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash to the chest, stomach and back may occur.
Serious symptoms (affecting 1 in 150 people) can include: high fever (usually greater than 102 degrees), severe headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, vision loss, muscle weakness, numbness, seizures, paralysis in a small percent, 15% progress to coma. These symptoms may last several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent. Death rate among those with the severe infection is around 10% and most severe cases have tended to be the elderly.
For your own safety, don’t take any of the symptoms lightly. For the mild symptoms people do not necessarily need to see medical attention unless you choose to do so, but if you would develop an unusually severe headache or confusion, seek medical attention immediately, even if you aren’t elderly, you could be that rare one to be at risk. Stay safe follow those simple and inexpensive guidelines and enjoy your summer.
*Information/data can be found on the CDC and/or MDH websites under West Nile virus
