Health
officials confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in RI in 2017.
The
66-year-old individual from Providence County began to experience symptoms of
WNV on September 15, 2017. Common symptoms of WNV include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. Although many people who are infected with WNV show no symptoms, symptoms last for some people for several days or several weeks.
There
were two human cases of WNV in Rhode Island in 2016.
“We
are currently in the height of mosquito season in Rhode Island,” said Director
of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH. “The best way to prevent West Nile
Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent mosquitoes from breeding
and to avoid mosquito bites. Mosquitoes breed in water, so you should get rid
of anything around your house and yard that collects water, such as tires,
planters, and old trash cans or recycling bins. You should also wear
long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outside, especially at sunrise
and sunset. A few simple precautions can help you stay healthy and safe when
you are outdoors spending quality time with family and friends.”
•
Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
•
At sunrise and sundown (when mosquitoes are most active) minimize outdoor
activities. If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and
use bug spray.
•
Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET
(20-30% strength); picaridin, IR3535; and oil of lemon eucalyptus or
para-menthan-diol. Always read the label and follow all directions and
precautions.
•
Do not use bug spray with DEET on infants under two months of age. Children
should be careful not to rub their eyes after bug spray has been applied on
their skin. Wash children’s hands with soap and water to remove any bug spray
when they return indoors.
•
Put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.
•
Get rid of mosquito breeding grounds
•
Get rid of anything around your house and yard that collects water. Just one
cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes; an unused tire containing
water can produce thousands of mosquitoes.
•
Clean your gutters and down spouts so that they can drain properly.
•
Remove any water from unused swimming pools, wading pools, boats, planters,
trash and recycling bins, tires, and anything else that collects water, and
cover them.
•
Change the water in birdbaths at least two times a week, and rinse out
birdbaths once a week.
As
of September 19, 2017, a total of 47 states and the District of Columbia have
reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes in 2017.
Overall, 875 cases of West Nile virus disease in people have been reported to
CDC. Of these, 537 (61%) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as
meningitis or encephalitis) and 338 (39%) were classified as non-neuroinvasive
disease.