A 74-year-old Villager’s death earlier this year from West Nile Virus is prompting many to suddenly wonder about the signs and symptoms of the mosquito-borne disease.
Don Roberts, of the Village of Caroline, died in January. His wife of more than 50 years believes he suffered the deadly mosquito bite during a golf excursion in the Village of Fenney. The longtime Villagers rarely strayed outside Florida’s Friendliest Hometown and Roberts’ wife said they hadn’t done any recent traveling.
Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The incubation period is usually two to six days, but ranges from two to 14 days. This period can be longer in people with certain medical conditions that affect the immune system.
Most people who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms.
About one in five people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
Less than one percent of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues.) The symptoms of neurologic illness can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures or paralysis.
Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, also are at greater risk for serious illness.
There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection.
