Should you be worried about West Nile virus?

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recently confirmed the first West Nile virus activity of the season after detecting the virus in mosquitoes and birds. Though no human cases have been reported yet, mosquitoes are active carriers, raising the question: What should you do to stay safe?

How to stay safe from the West Nile virus

Most West Nile virus infections occur when you get a mosquito bite from an infected mosquito. The virus isn’t spread person-to-person, and you can’t get it from coughing, sneezing or touching someone who is infected.

The best way to reduce your risk is to avoid getting a mosquito bite in the first place.

“There is no available vaccine and no specific treatment for people once infected, so efforts to limit the disease focus on prevention,” says Dr. John Meidl, medical director of infectious diseases at Aurora Health Care.

Dr. Meidl shares a few important steps to reduce your risk:

• Decrease mosquito breeding sites like standing water in yards.
• Avoid mosquitoes where possible, especially by limiting time outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear light-colored rather than dark-colored clothing to avoid attracting mosquitoes.
• Use repellents with either 20-30% DEET or 20% picaridin. Higher concentrations of DEET are not more effective. If you prefer natural, plant-based options, oil of lemon eucalyptus should be applied frequently for maximum effectiveness.

“In addition to helping protect against West Nile virus, repellents with DEET and picaridin are also effective against ticks, which can carry a number of infectious diseases, especially Lyme disease,” Dr. Meidl adds.

West Nile virus symptoms to watch for

Even if you’re bitten by a mosquito, you may not know whether you’ve been exposed to West Nile virus. Most people who contract it never develop any symptoms.

“About 25% of people infected may develop West Nile fever, which is characterized by mild to moderate fever, muscle and joint pains, and sometimes a short-lived rash, which often occurs as the illness is resolving,” Dr. Meidl says. “Rarely – in less than 1% of those infected – it manifests with neuroinvasive disease, including aseptic meningitis, encephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis.”

Although most people infected with West Nile virus never become seriously ill, taking precautions against mosquito bites remains the best way to reduce your risk. Basic steps like reducing standing water and using insect repellents when outdoors can go a long way toward protecting yourself and your family.

If you do develop symptoms that could be related to West Nile virus, be sure to contact your doctor.

Are you trying to find a doctor? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.