West Nile Virus Information

The LaGrange Fire District
West Nile Virus Information

West Nile virus is currently found in a number of areas throughout the eastern half of the United States, including New York state. The virus, which is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and some other animals. There is currently no evidence to indicate that West Nile virus can be spread from person to person or from animal to person.

Most of those people who become infected with West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones. However, there are rare occasions when the infection can result in a severe and sometimes fatal illness known as West Nile encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain). The risk of this disease becoming severe increases for persons 50 years of age and older.

While human illness from West Nile virus is rare, even in those areas where the virus has been reported, the chance that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito bite is low. The chances of becoming ill can be further reduced by protecting yourself from mosquito bites.

How to Fight the Bite:

	Start by limiting the number of places available for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by eliminating standing water sources from around your home.
	Apply insect repellent containing DEET when you're outdoors. Avoid applying repellent to children less than 2 years old. Use care in applying repellent to small children, and don't put repellent on their hands because it may get into their mouth or eyes and cause irritation. Whenever you use any insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the product directions.
	Wearing long-sleeved clothes and long pants treated with repellent will further reduce your risk, as will staying indoors during peak mosquito feeding hours (from dusk until dawn).
	For additional information on the West Nile virus and it's prevention, visit the Center for Disease Control's and the NYS Dept. of Health's "West Nile Virus" web sites. Links to both sites can be found at our Community External Links page.