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(NEXSTAR) — You may be gearing up for a long weekend of outdoor activities, but between the increased tick activity and a new mosquito warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you may want to prepare for unfortunate bug encounters as well.
Typically, through the end of June, the CDC receives about 10 reports of human West Nile virus cases.
Through June this year, there have been at least 48 cases of West Nile virus reported. Of those, nearly 40 have been severe neuroinvasive disease, considered the most severe form of the infection.
“This surge is driven by early circulation of the virus, with 23 states reporting West Nile virus activity – also the highest number recorded over the last 10 years,” the CDC said.
Data from the agency shows 12 states have reported human cases of West Nile virus so far this year, though the tally of cases may be underreported, as most people who become infected recover on their own.
Where have West Nile cases been reported?
It’s among residents of Arizona that cases are the highest. Through June, the state has seen 32 cases of West Nile virus, eight times as many as the next state, Texas, with four cases.
At least one resident from 10 other states – Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Tennessee – has been diagnosed with West Nile. (The CDC’s tracking reports cases based on state of residence.) Mississippi reported its first human case of West Nile of the year on Wednesday, according to Nexstar’s WJTV.
Non-human West Nile virus activity has also been reported in Washington, Utah, Nevada, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Virginia.
Mosquito pools in Nevada, Texas, and Tennessee have tested positive for the virus, local health officials announced this week. Several samples collected throughout southern California have also tested positive.
Why is West Nile virus concerning?
West Nile virus, spread by infected mosquitoes, is not uncommon. You could be bitten by an infected mosquito and not even experience symptoms.
However, for about one in five people, symptoms develop, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That includes fever, rash, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and pain behind your eyes.
Symptoms often set in within two to six days of being bitten, but may take 14 days or longer to appear. Those who are older, have a comorbidity (cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease), or have received an organ transplant may be at higher risk of becoming severely ill, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In serious cases, patients can develop severe neuroinvasive disease like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord). Symptoms of these conditions include a high fever, a headache, and a stiff neck, as well as confusion and disorientation, tremors, convulsions, weak muscles, vision loss, numbness, paralysis, and coma, the CDC explains.
Fewer than 1 percent of people who get West Nile virus develop these serious conditions. However, among those patients, about 10 percent die.
You’re encouraged to seek medical care if you have a high fever, stiff neck, weakness in your muscles, confusion, or tremors.
There is no treatment for West Nile virus. Mild symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and hospitals can respond to neurological symptoms, should they develop.
Most people are able to overcome West Nile virus on their own.
How to protect against West Nile virus
Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to protect yourself against West Nile virus.
The CDC recommends using an EPA-registered insect repellent and wearing long and loose-fitting shirts and pants when outside. If you can, avoid being out when mosquitoes are most active, between dusk and dawn. Ensure your windows and doors have screens to keep the pests out.
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