West Nile Virus is a serious threat to our Tri-State communities. Six cases of WNV have been reported in the Tri-State Area since 2009. In Arizona, there were 391 cases of WNV resulting in 14 deaths. County officials are also warning the public of an increase in Hantavirus which comes from rat droppings. HOTLINE: 1-866-409-4099
3 Stages of West Nile Virus
1. Serious Symptoms: 1 in every 150 people infected with the WNV develop severe illness. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Symptoms may last several weeks; neurological effects may be permanent.
2. Milder Symptoms: Up to 20% of people infected with eh WNV will display symptoms which can include fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting, sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest., stomach and back. Symptoms can last for a few days, even though healthy people have been sick for several weeks.
3. No Symptoms: 80% (about 4 of 5) who are infected show no symptoms.