West Nile Virus prevention

  • Published
  • By 28th Medical Operations Squadron
  • 28th MDOS Public Health
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE S.D. --  The season for West Nile Virus is upon us.

WNV is a potentially serious illness that is contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms if WNV include: fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph glands or a skin rash however, 80% of people infected with WNV will not show symptoms at all. Individuals with severely compromised immune systems and the elderly are more likely to develop illness. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection.

WNV infects birds, mammals and a few reptiles. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Once a human has been bitten by an infected mosquito, the life cycle of the virus ends; it's not transmitted from person to person, nor can humans get it directly from animals. No cases have been reported of a person getting the virus from handling live or dead infected birds.

In 2006, South Dakota had 113 known WNV cases; three resulting in death. In comparison, the U.S. had 4,261 cases reported; 174 resulting in death.

Some suggested techniques in mosquito prevention include eliminating mosquito breeding sites by removing yard debris to prevent standing water. Keep drains, ditches and sewage drains clean of weeds and trash so water will drain properly. When outside, use products containing permethrin and DEET, as directed on the product label.


For more information, call public health at 385-5802 or visit the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm or the SD Dept of Health at http://www.state.sd.us/doh/WestNile/index.htm.