CDC data as of September 17th, 2024 reported 48 cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in New York and 659 in the United States in total this year.
According to the New York State Department of Health, the virus is usually spread by mosquito bites and causes no symptoms in the majority of people infected.
However, some people may develop a fever, headaches, or dizziness. Severe cases can infect the brain and even cause death.
No cure for WNV exists, and no vaccine has been created to prevent the disease. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine’s website, some things that can be done to avoid the virus include using bug spray, wearing clothes that cover your skin, staying indoors around sunrise and sunset, and avoiding still water (water that is not flowing), where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
On awareness of the virus, WJPS teacher Mrs. Bonanni said, “I think maybe it should be more of a conversation piece because it’s a serious issue in our community.”
WJPS seventh grader Mason Polesovsky isn’t nearly as concerned, and stated, “Well, the summer’s almost over and the mosquitoes will start going away.”
“Public Domain: West Nile Virus, 2002 by Cynthia Goldsmith (CDC)” by pingnews.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
