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ummer in Canada is a time to be outdoors, to barbecue, camp, and hike in the
woods. Now, unfortunately, enjoying summer weather also brings with it the risk
of West
Nile Virus, which means it's time to protect ourselves from mosquito bites
that may result in infection with this virus.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Many people have heard of West Nile Virus and know that it is transmitted through
the bite of an infected mosquito, but many aren't sure whether they would recognize
the virus if they ever had it. The first North American outbreak of West Nile
Virus was in 1999 in New York City. In 2003, over 1,400 Canadians were infected
and became ill due to West Nile Virus, and in 2004, there were 26 human cases.
Despite this significant decrease in human cases in 2004, possibly due in part
to unseasonably cool and wet conditions much of Canada saw in the spring and
summer months, Canadians are still at risk for contracting West Nile Virus.
Mild or moderate symptoms
Most people infected with the virus will have no symptoms at all or their symptoms
will clear up without them ever realizing they have been infected. Others may
develop what can be called a "mild" case of West Nile Virus. They
have flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. People
in this group may also develop a mild rash or swollen glands.
If you or your children have these symptoms during late spring, summer, or
early fall, you should contact your doctor, especially if West Nile is active
in your area or if you've visited an area where the virus was active.
Severe symptoms
Severe symptoms of West Nile Virus include the onset of meningitis, which is
inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, and encephalitis, which
is inflammation of the brain itself. These conditions can be fatal or lead to
long term health effects, and symptoms could include the rapid onset of severe
headache, high fever, stiff neck, nausea, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, drowsiness,
confusion, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, paralysis and loss of consciousness.
Hospital care is necessary for people who develop these severe symptoms. There
is no specific treatment or medication for these symptoms. Serious cases are
treated with supportive therapies to ease symptoms and prevent secondary infections.
Who is at risk?
Anyone, of any age or health status, can develop these potentially devastating—and
sometimes fatal—symptoms. Generally, people with chronic diseases (such
as cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, or heart disease), and people with other ongoing
medical conditions are at greater risk of developing serious health effects.
Risk of serious health effects also increases with age. Others who get symptoms
related to this virus—some young and healthy—have had to deal with
severe long-term health effects.
Since evidence shows that West Nile Virus can be transmitted to an unborn child,
pregnant women should take steps to reduce their risk of mosquito bites. It
is possible that West Nile Virus could be passed to a child through breast milk,
but the level of risk is still unknown. Women who have concerns about the potential
to transmit West Nile Virus through breastfeeding or during pregnancy should
consult their doctors for advice in their specific situations.
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Wear insect repellent—just like sunscreen |
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The use of insect repellent needs to become part
of our family outdoor routine, just like sunscreen. Mosquitoes can bite
at any time of the day or night so we need to take precautions in areas
where West Nile is active. Reducing the risk of West Nile Virus can be as
easy as wearing insect repellent with DEET or other approved ingredients
when outside.
Insect repellent is not like perfume. That's the idea. It is designed to
repel mosquitoes and other insects as long as we follow the directions on
the package. It should be applied lightly to exposed skin or on top of clothes,
and today's repellents are much less smelly than those developed in the
past. While there is no evidence that DEET is a health hazard to unborn
babies or children who are breastfeeding, women
who are pregnant or breastfeeding may wish to consider the use of non-chemical
methods to prevent mosquito bites as a first line of defence against West
Nile virus. |
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Protect yourself and your children from mosquitoes
Here are three actions you can take to help protect yourself and your children
from West Nile Virus:
- Put on insect
repellent whenever you go outdoors, just as you do with sunscreen
on a sunny day. It should have the recommended percentage of an approved ingredient
(10% or less for children in the case of DEET) and be used according to package
directions. For the record, products with DEET in them have been used safely
in Canada for over five decades. Used responsibly and according to manufacturer's
instructions, DEET does not pose any health risk to children. You should not
use DEET on infants less than six months so make sure to protect them with
netting, by covering exposed skin, or by keeping them indoors when you know
mosquitoes are active.
- Put on protective clothing, by wearing light-coloured clothing with
pant legs, long sleeves, and a hat—especially if you and your children
are outside when mosquitoes are most active, usually at dawn and dusk. Consider
putting a long-sleeved white t-shirt under a soccer uniform, or insisting
on khakis, socks, and sneakers for evening play. Mosquitoes are attracted
to dark colours, so wearing light-coloured clothing really makes a difference.
- Remove all sources of standing water, the prime mosquito breeding
grounds, including flower pots, wading pools, and old tires, from around your
property. And make sure your door and window screens are in good repair.
If we all take action to protect our children and ourselves, we can reduce
the number of people who get sick from West Nile Virus this summer.
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