Mellow
08-25-2006, 07:25 AM
This is still an issue so be sure if you're going to be outside you take some precautions like some mosquito spray w/deet and long sleeve shirts...
If anyone else has any advise, please chime in.
More info. (thanks clmixon)
West Nile Virus,
A Primer for motorcycle sport touring and camping enthusiasts
Introduction
While there have been a number of encephalitis/ meningitis type diseases in the news over the years, West Nile Virus (WNV) has begun attracting attention in North America as it makes the jump from Africa and Europe where it has been a consideration for years. WNV is an arbovirus in the same family as St. Louis Encephalitis, East and West Equine Encephalitis and Japanese Encephalitis
Since outdoor activities where humans are exposed to mosquitoes is the primary vector for WNV in humans, motorcycle riding and camping places the ST-Owners group at risk. Luckily, since the risk of infection is very small and precautions are very basic, we are in great shape.
History and Range
West Nile Virus (WNV) has been identified in humans since the 1950?s. appearing in North America for the first time in 1999. The primary human vector for the virus is concentrated around mosquitoes but is also know to be found in sand flies, ticks and other ?no-see-um? type arthropods. The range in N.A. is basically all the lower 48, Most Canadian provinces and Mexico.
The Disease
WNV infection at its worst causes inflammation of the tissues of the brain or in medical terms ?Encephalitis?. It is also known to cause inflammation of the tissues that surround the central nervous system or meninges (meningitis).
Encephalitis signs and symptoms are identical in adults and children are identical and in the case of arbovirus type diseases such as WNV appear after an incubation period of about 2-14 days. 80% of those who are infected have no symptoms at all. Most others develop mild symptoms that in most cases are identified initially as ?flu like? including abrupt onset of fever, chills, muscle aches and extreme muscle weakness, headache, and overall feeling of illness. Headache is particularly common and may be severe. The person may have sensitivity to light with pain behind the eyes. You may hear people refer to this as West Nile Fever. Almost all West Nile fever type patients make a complete recovery.
The big tip off that this may not be a flu in most of the reported cases is the severe muscle weakness.
A very small number of cases develop into full blown encephalitis. Most of the really bad cases have been over 55 years of age or have immune system impairment. Here we begin to see symptoms that point less toward flu and more toward encephalitis and menengitis. Very high fever, stiff neck, altered level of alertness or even bizarre behaviors along with the previous symptoms should result in an immediate trip to an Emergency Room.
Risk
About 15,000 cases of WNV exposure have identified by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta since 1999 and 500 deaths in the same time period. Peak risk in N.A. is between April and October but cases have been identified year round in the Deep South. Overall risk of any detectable infection in the population is very low, less than 1% even in the middle of an outbreak.
Prevention
Since WNV is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes and other blood suckers, the best prevention is to not get bit. I tried riding the ST in the house but my wife was not amused. If possible, cover exposed skin when outside during periods of peak activity. Repellant, especially around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active is the way to go. There are several effective repellants for use on skin. Good old DEET is a proven performer. Two new repellants for use on human skin have also been approved by the U.S. EPA, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Both are considered equivalent to DEET.
DEET in concentrations between 10% and 30% is very effective. Contrary to popular belief, DEET concentration has much more to do with duration of effect than effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes. Do not use DEET in concentrations greater than 10% on small children or pregnant women. High concentration DEET has been known to cause skin irritation. Instead of using high concentration DEET, apply it more often. 23.8% DEET is good for about 5 hours, 20%, about 4 hours and 6.65% about 2 hours. The weakest DEET, 4.75% with 2% soybean oil is good for about 90 minutes. Match your outdoor time to your repellant. If you start getting bit, reapply as directed. Remember not to spray directly on your face, rather spray onto your hands and then rub. Use this same technique on children to avoid spraying onto their mucous membranes.
If you wear long sleeves you can use premethrin. Do not apply premethrin to skin, only clothing. You can also spray premethrin containing products on tents, and camping shelters. It is especially good sprayed around pants cuffs and boots where mites, chiggers and fleas can bite.
Citronella is less effective than DEET containing preparations and ?Skin-so-soft? actually has no effect at all.
The Future
Work on a vaccine is very advanced and is in human trials. It is now thought that those who have been exposed, even if they have no symptoms are immune to further development of WNV.
Summary
Risk is very low, even in the middle of an outbreak, 80% never have any symptoms. Look out for flu like symptoms and severe weakness followed by high fever altered states of consciousness and a stiff neck Treatment for most people who have nay symptoms is supportive and usually does not require hospitalization. In the rare cases where WNV develops into full blown encephalitis, hospital care including IV rehydration, respiratory support and observation are the primary forms of treatment. 90% of all people with symptoms make a complete recovery. Those most at risk are people with outdoor activities that expose them to mosquitoes, particularly during the spring , summer and early fall in most of the US and Canada. The Deep South is at risk year round.
Conclusions
WNV is a small risk that can be controlled for most by the use of minor precautions, most aimed at preventing bites from mosquitoes or other insects known to transmit the virus. Be aware, use repellant and have fun riding or camping any time of year.
Sources
US Centers for Disease Control- information about WNV range and transmission
Medline Plus and E-Medicine for information of treatment, signs and symptoms of WNV
US Environmental Protection Agency- Information about repellants
Disclaimer
I am not a physician and strongly urge you to consult with your Doctor if you have any questions about your risk of contracting WNV, its symptoms or treatment.
If anyone else has any advise, please chime in.
More info. (thanks clmixon)
West Nile Virus,
A Primer for motorcycle sport touring and camping enthusiasts
Introduction
While there have been a number of encephalitis/ meningitis type diseases in the news over the years, West Nile Virus (WNV) has begun attracting attention in North America as it makes the jump from Africa and Europe where it has been a consideration for years. WNV is an arbovirus in the same family as St. Louis Encephalitis, East and West Equine Encephalitis and Japanese Encephalitis
Since outdoor activities where humans are exposed to mosquitoes is the primary vector for WNV in humans, motorcycle riding and camping places the ST-Owners group at risk. Luckily, since the risk of infection is very small and precautions are very basic, we are in great shape.
History and Range
West Nile Virus (WNV) has been identified in humans since the 1950?s. appearing in North America for the first time in 1999. The primary human vector for the virus is concentrated around mosquitoes but is also know to be found in sand flies, ticks and other ?no-see-um? type arthropods. The range in N.A. is basically all the lower 48, Most Canadian provinces and Mexico.
The Disease
WNV infection at its worst causes inflammation of the tissues of the brain or in medical terms ?Encephalitis?. It is also known to cause inflammation of the tissues that surround the central nervous system or meninges (meningitis).
Encephalitis signs and symptoms are identical in adults and children are identical and in the case of arbovirus type diseases such as WNV appear after an incubation period of about 2-14 days. 80% of those who are infected have no symptoms at all. Most others develop mild symptoms that in most cases are identified initially as ?flu like? including abrupt onset of fever, chills, muscle aches and extreme muscle weakness, headache, and overall feeling of illness. Headache is particularly common and may be severe. The person may have sensitivity to light with pain behind the eyes. You may hear people refer to this as West Nile Fever. Almost all West Nile fever type patients make a complete recovery.
The big tip off that this may not be a flu in most of the reported cases is the severe muscle weakness.
A very small number of cases develop into full blown encephalitis. Most of the really bad cases have been over 55 years of age or have immune system impairment. Here we begin to see symptoms that point less toward flu and more toward encephalitis and menengitis. Very high fever, stiff neck, altered level of alertness or even bizarre behaviors along with the previous symptoms should result in an immediate trip to an Emergency Room.
Risk
About 15,000 cases of WNV exposure have identified by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta since 1999 and 500 deaths in the same time period. Peak risk in N.A. is between April and October but cases have been identified year round in the Deep South. Overall risk of any detectable infection in the population is very low, less than 1% even in the middle of an outbreak.
Prevention
Since WNV is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes and other blood suckers, the best prevention is to not get bit. I tried riding the ST in the house but my wife was not amused. If possible, cover exposed skin when outside during periods of peak activity. Repellant, especially around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active is the way to go. There are several effective repellants for use on skin. Good old DEET is a proven performer. Two new repellants for use on human skin have also been approved by the U.S. EPA, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Both are considered equivalent to DEET.
DEET in concentrations between 10% and 30% is very effective. Contrary to popular belief, DEET concentration has much more to do with duration of effect than effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes. Do not use DEET in concentrations greater than 10% on small children or pregnant women. High concentration DEET has been known to cause skin irritation. Instead of using high concentration DEET, apply it more often. 23.8% DEET is good for about 5 hours, 20%, about 4 hours and 6.65% about 2 hours. The weakest DEET, 4.75% with 2% soybean oil is good for about 90 minutes. Match your outdoor time to your repellant. If you start getting bit, reapply as directed. Remember not to spray directly on your face, rather spray onto your hands and then rub. Use this same technique on children to avoid spraying onto their mucous membranes.
If you wear long sleeves you can use premethrin. Do not apply premethrin to skin, only clothing. You can also spray premethrin containing products on tents, and camping shelters. It is especially good sprayed around pants cuffs and boots where mites, chiggers and fleas can bite.
Citronella is less effective than DEET containing preparations and ?Skin-so-soft? actually has no effect at all.
The Future
Work on a vaccine is very advanced and is in human trials. It is now thought that those who have been exposed, even if they have no symptoms are immune to further development of WNV.
Summary
Risk is very low, even in the middle of an outbreak, 80% never have any symptoms. Look out for flu like symptoms and severe weakness followed by high fever altered states of consciousness and a stiff neck Treatment for most people who have nay symptoms is supportive and usually does not require hospitalization. In the rare cases where WNV develops into full blown encephalitis, hospital care including IV rehydration, respiratory support and observation are the primary forms of treatment. 90% of all people with symptoms make a complete recovery. Those most at risk are people with outdoor activities that expose them to mosquitoes, particularly during the spring , summer and early fall in most of the US and Canada. The Deep South is at risk year round.
Conclusions
WNV is a small risk that can be controlled for most by the use of minor precautions, most aimed at preventing bites from mosquitoes or other insects known to transmit the virus. Be aware, use repellant and have fun riding or camping any time of year.
Sources
US Centers for Disease Control- information about WNV range and transmission
Medline Plus and E-Medicine for information of treatment, signs and symptoms of WNV
US Environmental Protection Agency- Information about repellants
Disclaimer
I am not a physician and strongly urge you to consult with your Doctor if you have any questions about your risk of contracting WNV, its symptoms or treatment.