A recent post on X by CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jonathan LaPook regarding how Dr. Antony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, has been recovering from the West Nile Virus after two weeks of being home hospitalized has sparked a public interest in the West Nile Virus, its treatment, and preventive measures.
According to Dr. LaPook, Dr. Fauci was hospitalized after showing symptoms of fever, chills, and fatigue. The evaluation also shows that he may have contacted WNV through a mosquito bite from his backyard.
With 70 to 80% of people infected by West Nile virus not showing symptoms, this rising virus is becoming more difficult to detect. Medical experts say this mosquito-borne disease in the continental US is transmitted through a bite from infected mosquitoes.
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus (WNV) is commonly transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and can affect both humans and animals. The West Nile Virus was first discovered in the 1930s in the West Nile district of Uganda and has since become a major public health concern in other parts of the world including the United States. West Nile Virus can also be transmitted via organ transplants, blood transfusion, and from an infected pregnant mother to her fetus.
West Nile Virus Transmission and Risk Factors
The most common means of transmission of West Nile Virus to humans is by the bite of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes don’t embody this virus but acquire it when they feed on infected birds. Crows and jays are commonly known to carry this virus, although more than 110 bird species can carry WNV.
Human-to-human transmission of West Nile Virus does not occur through physical contact. However, it may occur through blood transfusions and organ transplants in rare cases. Contracting the virus through blood transfusion is at the bare minimum due to routine screening procedures.
West Nile Virus Symptoms
Most individuals infected with West Nile virus are asymptomatic and may not know they have contracted it. Approximately one in five infected people will develop symptoms similar to the flu, known as West Nile fever. Common symptoms of West Nile fever include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Skin rash, and
- Swollen lymph glands
In severe cases, the virus can cause life-threatening neurological diseases such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of both the brain and its surrounding membrane).
Symptoms of severe infection often include:
- High fever
- Neck stiffness
- Disorientation
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Weakness of the muscles
- Paralysis and
- Coma
These severe symptoms are common in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.
West Nile Virus Treatment
For now, there is no specific treatment or available vaccine for West Nile Virus. Management of this infection focuses on the symptoms shown by the patient. It may involve hospitalization, intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and other supportive therapies for severe cases involving neurological complications.
West Nile Prevention Strategies
To prevent contracting West Nile Virus, efforts should be focused on avoiding mosquito bites, especially during summer and early fall; the peak transmission period. Eliminate stagnant water and any factor that would serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
West Nile Virus has become a major concern in regions where mosquitoes are common. With most cases being asymptomatic, the possibility of severe cases and even death highlights the importance of preventive measures that can help individuals protect themselves from the risk of infection.