The West Nile virus is continuing to spread across the United States, even causing several Virginians to become sick. Two men have tested positive for the virus, a 65-year-old from Fairfax County and a 42-year-old from Hanover County, according to Officials from the Virginia Department of Health.
These cases raise the total number of human infections in Virginia to three this year. Last week, officials announced that a 33-year-old Richmond man contracted a mild form of the disease and later recovered.
Mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans after catching it from birds such as crows and blue jays.
The virus has caused 28 deaths nationwide this year, according to the Web site for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Student Health has taken special measures by putting information on their Web site and following guidelines from the local health department, said Joe Chance, director of general medicine at Student Health.
"There is no treatment available or vaccine yet," he said.
Although some students have gone to Student Health asking questions about West Nile virus, "we haven't sent anything off for testing yet," Chance said.
Only about one in 300 people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will show any symptoms of the disease and one in 150 of those who display symptoms will need to be hospitalized. The virus is most threatening to the elderly, the very young and those with weak immune systems.
Chance verified that students are not among the highest risk group.
"The student age group is not the one most likely to be affected," Chance said.
Warning signs can manifest as minor flu-like symptoms for mild cases while high fever, severe headaches and a change in mental status indicate a more severe condition. Encephalitis, a severe inflammation of the brain, in rare cases also can result from West Nile virus.
Chance advised students to wear long-sleeved clothing, particularly around dawn and dusk, in addition to wearing insect repellent that contains DEET, a chemical that deters insects by confusing their sensory organs.
Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed that three horses from Northern Virginia have tested positive for West Nile virus. One of the horses has recovered considerably, another horse remains ill and the third horse was euthanized.
"Only one-third of the horses who contract West Nile Virus will die or need to be euthanized," said Elaine Lidholm, director of communications for the Virginia department of agriculture and consumer services.
There is, however, a conditionally approved vaccine for horses.
"This particular vaccine takes four to six weeks before it's effective, and requires two doses," Lidholm said. "We are recommending people get the vaccine for their horses."
The benefits of the horse vaccine are uncertain.
"Conditional approval means the vaccine has been shown not to be harmful, but the efficacy has not yet been proven," Lidholm said.
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