Kent woman diagnosed with West Nile; state’s third case this year

The Delaware Division of Public Health has announced that an 87-year-old Kent County woman has become infected with West Nile virus.

This marks the state’s third case of a Delawarean contracting the virus in 2021.

The woman indicated no travel history that could have led to transmission, meaning she contracted the virus in Delaware.

To protect the patient’s privacy, DPH is not providing additional information on this case.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause serious health problems. It is transmitted by mosquitoes, generally in summer and fall, with a peak period for disease transmissions from mid-August to mid-October.

Nearly 80% of people infected with West Nile will not become ill. While only a little less than 20% of those infected with the virus will develop West Nile fever with mild symptoms (fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash on the chest or back and swollen lymph glands), one in 150 people infected will develop severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis).

Symptoms of sever infection include headache, high fever, stiff neck, and/or tremors and muscle weakness. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Anyone who experiences any of these severe symptoms should seek medical help immediately. Symptoms may progress to stupor, disorientation, coma, convulsions, paralysis and possibly death.

The mosquitoes that cause viral bite are prevalent primarily from dusk to dawn. However, other mosquitoes that cause diseases — such as chikungunya, dengue fever and Zika — can bite during the day.

DPH notes that it is important to protect yourself by wearing insect repellent whenever you go outdoors. They also recommend wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your limbs from insect bites.

In addition to the three human West Nile cases, there has been one confirmed case of West Nile virus in a Kent County horse.

West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis are diseases transmitted to horses via the bites of mosquitoes. Humans can also be infected with these diseases, but transmission requires a mosquito bite, and the virus cannot be directly transmitted between horses, or between horses and people.

Signs of infection in horses include fever (although not always with West Nile), anorexia, head pressing, depression or personality change, wobbling or staggering, weakness, blindness, convulsions, muscle spasms in the head and neck or hind-limb weakness. If owners notice any of these signs in their horses, they should contact their veterinarian immediately.

Horse owners can take several additional steps in the barn and around the farm to help protect horses from mosquito bites. Horses should be kept inside during dawn and dusk, which are peak hours for mosquito activity. Topical insect repellents labeled for use on horses may be applied. The wind generated by fans installed in horse stalls can also help deter mosquitoes. Old tires and containers should be disposed of, and standing water eliminated. Water troughs or buckets should be emptied, cleaned, and refilled every 2-3 days if possible to remove any mosquito eggs or larvae.

Mosquito bite prevention

To avoid mosquito bites and reduce the risk of infection, individuals should:

• Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for reapplication times.
• If using sunscreen, apply it first and insect repellent second.
• Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply it to the child’s face. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, or on cut or irritated skin.
• Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age.
• When outside, wear shoes, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants. Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs. Mosquito netting can protect one’s face and neck, and infants in carriages, strollers and playpens.
• Use permethrin (an insecticide) to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents), but do not apply to skin.
• Prevent mosquitoes from entering the house by using screens and keeping windows and doorways tightly sealed.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Mosquito Control section announced West Nile had been found in sentinel chickens for the first time this year in July.

Delawareans are reminded that the possibility of contracting mosquito-transmitted diseases will continue until colder weather sets in, which this year could be as late as mid-November. Until that time, DNREC’s Mosquito Control section typically increases its mosquito population surveillance efforts in the vicinity of the virus findings, and then, depending on types and numbers of mosquitoes encountered, takes appropriate mosquito control measures as warranted.

Reporting cases and learning more

To report suspected cases of human WNV, call the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 888-295-5156.

For more information about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses:

• For mosquito biology/ecology and control, call DNREC Mosquito Control at 302-739-9917.
• For requests for mosquito relief in upstate areas from Dover north, call 302-836-2555.
• For requests for mosquito relief in downstate areas south of Dover, call 302-422-1512.
• For animal health questions, call the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section at 302-698-4561.
• To report suspected cases of human WNV, call the Division of Public Health Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 888-295-5156.
• For more information on West Nile virus or Eastern equine encephalitis, visit this link.
• For more on what you can do to prevent West Nile virus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.