West Nile Virus Kitana

Background Info

• West Nile virus (WNV) is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

• There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection.

• Fortunately, most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness.

Background Info

• Additional routes of human infection have also been documented. It is important to note that these methods of transmission represent a very small proportion of cases.

• Blood transfusions. • Organ transplants. • Exposure in a laboratory setting • From

mother to baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

Behind the topic

• Symptoms of West Nile virus really depend on the person who becomes infected. Kids with normal immune systems (say: ih-myoon), the system of the body that fights off disease and infection, usually get just a mild "flu-like" illness and may not feel bad at all with the infection. • People over 50 years old and those with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplants are most at risk for the infection http://wellnessandequality.com/2012/08/17/pros-cons-west-nile-virus-vs-pyrethroid-exposure/

• 80% of those who contract West Nile Virus experience no symptoms and clear the virus without treatment. • 20% of those who contract the virus will experience flu-like symptoms (fever, body aches, swollen lymph glands).

• If infected, you have a less than 1% chance of dying from the disease. • 1 in 150 people will have a severe reaction to the virus which could result in permanent damage or death.

• Humans do not generally transmit the virus to one another, and are considered “dead-end” hosts. (The virus can, however, be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and breastfeeding.)

Behind the topic

Even though it was discovered all the way back in 1937 in Africa, the West Nile virus probably didn't make its way to the United States until 1999. But since then, it has been a cause of concern all over the country during the summer months

West Nile virus is caused by a bite from an infected mosquito that's already carrying the virus, but it's important to remember that not all mosquitoes are infected. In many parts of the United States, the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito is greatest from July to early September. But in some parts of the country, mosquito bites can be a risk all year long.

Not everyone who gets bitten by an infected mosquito will get the virus. And although kids can get West Nile virus, it's rare for them to become very sick from it.

Benefits/Drawbacks

There are no benefits of getting the West Nile Virus.Drawbacks- If you’re bitten by the infected

mosquito, you can have 2-15 days of illness. Symptoms Include-

Meningitis High fever Stiff neck Nausea Weakness Vomiting Difficulty swallowing

Benefits/Drawbacks

• Drowsiness • Confusion • Lack of coordination • Muscle weakness • Paralysis • Loss of consciousness • Movement disorder • Muscle degeneration • Skin rash The severity of the symptoms depends

on where you get bit, and it depends on the person, and how their body reacts.

Social/Ethical

• Ethical issues: Ways to protect yourself. • Apply a bug repellent that contains no more than 30%

DEET. (DEET a chemical that attracts mosquitoes) • Wear light coloured clothing during summer as

opposed to dark coloured clothing, when doing outdoor activities.

• Natural oil based repellent. • Check your door screens and windows for holes. • Environmentally friendly ways to reduce mosquitoes

include installing bat- and birdhouses and encouraging species such as dragonflies, frogs, and beetles.

Statistics

• October,5,2013• Average of 33 clinical of WNV Neurological

syndromes:• Quebec-19• Ontario-6• Manitoba-1• Saskatchewan-4• Alberta-3

Statistics

• 48 clinical cases of WNV non-neurological syndrome

• Quebec-7 • Ontario-21• Manitoba-1• Saskatchewan-1• Alberta-8• WNV-Unspecified (21 cases in Ontario)• Total cases in average 102

Society

The topic WNV helps improve the well being in our society because it shows that even though we are in a clean area, they’re are still viruses that can be easily caught if we don’t protect ourselves and be aware. It also shows the society what do to if you’ve been bitten and the symptoms and side, so you can be treated as soon as possible. This also shows society that anyone can be bitten and different people have different affects. This gives us the advantage to know how to protect ourselves against this virus, so that we won’t have to go to the doctors and still do the things we love like camping, and many other outdoor activities.

Pictures

Protection

Solutions/Treatments

• Most people recover without treatment.• Pain relievers can relieve the headaches

and minor muscle aches. • In severe cases, people are hospitalized

where they can receive supportive treatment like, intravenous fluids, which help with breathing and nursing care.

Bibliography

• http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=288&channel_id=1020&relation_id=71085

• http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/wn-no/symptom-eng.php

• http://wellnessandequality.com/2012/08/17/pros-cons-west-nile-virus-vs-pyrethroid-exposure/

• http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/west_nile.html