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By Rose Hooper
Jackson County has its first confirmed case of West Nile virus
in a human, according to Paula Carden, health services coordinator
with the Jackson County Department of Public Health.
Carden said Wednesday she received confirmation last week from
the State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh that the woman,
who is over age 60, tested positive.
Where the woman became infected from West Nile is unknown at this
time, Carden said.
"At the end of September the woman returned from a trip to
Central America and got sick about 10 days later," Carden
said.
In humans, the incubation period from infection to onset is usually
three to 15 days.
West Nile is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Wild birds serve
as natural hosts for the viruses. Mosquitoes bite the birds and
then can transmit the viruses to humans and animals. A person
can't catch the disease from another person or an infected animal.
West Nile comes in three types – virus, fever and encephalitis.
The virus, commonly found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle
East, can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and other mammals.
The fever is a mild disease in people, characterized by flu-like
symptoms and typically lasts only a few days.
The more severe encephalitis, which the Jackson County woman has,
refers to inflammation of the brain.
"She is recuperating at home now and doing very well, I hear,"
said Carden. "We hope she doesn't have any residual effects...a
complete recovery is possible."
The woman's symptoms included fever, weakness, nausea, vomiting,
headaches and fatigue, according to Carden.
"This case has heightened our public health awareness and
we're taking a proactive approach," said Carden, who has
sent information on the case to all physicians in the area.
Carden cautions people to install or repair window and door screens
so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.
She also suggests eliminating standing water sources such as old
tires, flower pots, birdbaths, barrels and swimming pools.
"Once we get a hard freeze, we eliminate the mosquitoes and
the threat," she said.
"Ours is not the first case in the state, but hopefully,
with the weather turning colder, it will be the last."
Of the 22 human cases of West Nile confirmed this year in North
Carolina, one has resulted in a fatality.
In September last year a blue jay found dead in northern Jackson
County was infected with West Nile virus.
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