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WEDNESDAY, June 18, 2003 (HealthDayNews) --
It first appeared in the United States only a few years ago, but West Nile virus is now a widespread summer health threat.
In 2002, between 350,000 and 400,000 people in the United States were infected and about 2,700 people developed serious health problems such as meningitis and encephalitis. About 260 people in the United States died as a result of West Nile virus.
The virus is commonly transmitted back and forth between infected birds and mosquitoes. However, humans can contract the virus when they're bitten by an infected mosquito.
While the chances of becoming seriously ill from West Nile virus are small, it's still a good idea to take precautions against mosquito bites, Dr. Cary Engleberg, professor and chief of the infectious diseases division of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Health System, says in a news release.
He offers some advice on how to avoid mosquito bites this summer:
Start by making the area around your home free of any standing water, which is used by mosquitoes to breed.
You should also avoid situations where you or your family are bitten frequently and repetitively by mosquitoes.
"The more mosquito bites that one encounters, the higher the risk of acquiring something from a mosquito. It's clearly a good idea to think about repellants and protective clothing when you're heading into mosquito territory," Engleberg says.
Repellants that contain concentrations of up to about 30 percent DEET are the only ones that have a significant impact on mosquitoes. While these repellants can be used by adults and older children, younger children should use repellants specially formulated for them. These need to be applied more frequently than the adult repellants.
"In toddlers, one has to be careful not to get these substances on their hands, because it can be transferred to the eyes and cause problems," Engleberg says.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about West Nile virus.
