The Wyoming Department of Health reported the first human case of West Nile Virus in an adult resident of Fremont County.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a disease that is commonly transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, with cases being reported all across the continental U.S. according to the Center for Disease Control. WNV, unlike many other illnesses, does not have an official vaccine or any medication that could completely cure someone who has been infected.
It is important to stress though, that cases are extraordinarily rare. The CDC estimates that only about 1 in 5 individuals who are the victim of an infected, thirsty mosquito ever exhibit any symptoms whatsoever. Even if a person is unfortunate enough to be that one person who develops a fever, headache, body ache, skin rash, or any other color of the rainbow of symptoms associated with WNV, there is only a 1 in 150 chance that the infection will develop into anything serious.
“It’s possible that many people who are ill due to WNV are not getting tested for the disease, which affects reporting and makes it difficult for us to know the true number of cases” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, a state health officer and epidemiologist in a press release by the Wyoming Department of Health.
Nonetheless, if a person is particularly responsible and wants to stack the chips in their favor, there are many simple and proven methods of resistance to WNV. As the primary exporter of the infection, mosquitos ought to be the target of any conscientious citizen. Insect repellent should be the weapon of choice, but it is important to read the label on any bottle of aerosol that is competing for your attention. The Wyoming Department of Health recommends that repellent contains DEET or Picaridin. As well, they emphasize wearing long sleeved shirts and pants in the afternoon to protect against bites. Finally it’s important to take active steps to undermine any pools of infection from in and around your home. Empty out or overturn items like toys or vases, which collect water, will help minimize any potential real estate for the expecting mosquito mother to lay her eggs.
Wyoming itself, along with the whole of the western hemisphere has had a relatively brief but heavy relationship with West Nile. The first case in Wyoming was in 2002 and ever since the severity of outbreaks has varied considerably.
Long before Wyoming, the disease was first detected in, and would later get its name from, the West Nile District of Uganda around 1937. Eventually, after criss crossing from Africa to Europe a few dozen times, WNV would be detected in New York City in the summer of 1999. After breaking into America, WNV would spread at a rate that puts Beetle mania to shame, with 21 cases reported in the following year across ten states. In 2002 the disease peaked in popularity, with over 4156 cases in a single summer. In subsequent years, while WNV has failed to regain its chart position, it still remains a substantial player in the scene. Dr. James Sejvar, in a paper published by the National Institute of Health, sought to understand some of the factors that cause the disease to spread. The findings of his work point to animals, primarily birds that are immune to the symptoms of the disease, as the primary carriers of the pathogen. These birds often are the favorite snacks of hungry mosquitos and thus WNV would be transferred from one to another, and then eventually to humans.
While rare, it is still important to avoid any unnecessary risk. The Wyoming Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control both provide comprehensive online guides to protecting against West Nile. The Student Health Service on campus also provides testing for those who may be exhibiting any symptoms.
