The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expecting summer 2008 to bring the same epidemic of West Nile Virus (WNV) as the previous four years. WNV is caused by an organism called a flavivirus. Humans contract the disease after getting bitten by mosquitoes that get the disease from feeding on infected birds. Signs of infection can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe muscle aches, meningitis, confusion, and even death. Since there is no effective treatment or vaccine for WNV at the moment, the best way to stop the disease is through prevention. Repellent sprays containing DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus, among others, are recommended. As well, eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed can help to control disease spread. Full CDC guidelines.
June 24, 2008
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.