Mosquitoes/West Nile Virus
What is West Nile Virus?
- Is a virus carried by mosquitoes that can cause illness ranging from mild flu like symptoms to encephalitis (brain swelling) or meningitis (swelling of the membrane lining brain or spinal cord).
How do people contract it?
- Mosquitoes get it from infected birds (i.e. crows)
- People get it by being bitten by mosquitoes
Signs and symptoms
- Symptoms can develop between 2 – 15 days after bite. 80% of people have no symptoms, 20% get a mild fever, and 1% develops serious injury.
- Serious symptoms include: severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, muscle weakness, paralysis, confusion, and coma.
- Some people never recover from the virus. Others have prolonged health problems. 5.5% of the 1% who are seriously ill dies.
Who is at risk?
- Anyone working outdoors or being outdoors during the time mosquitoes are active.
How to protect yourself?
- Wear personal protective equipment
- Wear baggy, long sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors.
- Use insect repellents with DEET. (Read attached Safe Use of Insect Repellent)
What if I find a dead bird?
- Dead crows can be submitted for testing as they are the most vulnerable birds.
- Collect dead crows using a paper picker and place in several plastic bags. Long dead, rotting crows should be disposed of in the garbage. Crows, which are freshly dead, should be turned in to the Superintendent of Grounds. They will be turned over to the Fish and Wildlife office for testing.
What is the official U of L Grounds department policy for dealing with the threat of West Nile Virus?
- Long pants must be worn at all times when working on Grounds.
- All employees of the Grounds Department have been given mosquito jackets made of a mesh material, which can be worn at times when mosquitoes are active.
- The Grounds Department supplies insect repellent, which should be used on hands, arms, face, and neck to prevent bites in those areas.
- Long sleeved shirts are recommended to be worn but t-shirts, with at least a 4 inch sleeve, can be worn as long as exposed skin is treated with insect repellent.
- Hats are required to be worn to protect the head from insects and sun/heat.
Compliance with these instructions is a condition of employment.