Florida's first West Nile virus cases of the year crop up in Escambia County. What to know

Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal
Updated ·3 min read

Escambia County is under a mosquito-borne illness alert after two West Nile virus cases were reported in the area starting in July, marking the first cases in Florida this year.

West Nile cases in Florida are rare in Florida, but not unheard of. There have been 469 reported cases in the state between 1999 and 2022. Last year ended with only five cases throughout Florida.

In the U.S., West Nile is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease and it’s commonly spread to people when they are bit by an infected mosquito.

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Here’s what you should know about West Nile virus.

What is West Nile virus?

West Nile virus is a disease that spreads when infected mosquitos bite a person or an animal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.

The disease typically causes a mild illness in people, but it can cause inflammation of the brain called encephalitis or meningitis.

How contagious is West Nile virus?

West Nile virus is most commonly transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a person or another animal. The virus is rarely transmitted among people.

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What are West Nile virus symptoms?

The majority of people who contract West Nile, around 80%, develop no symptoms, according to the CDC. West Nile symptoms in those who do include:

  • Headache

  • Body aches

  • Joint pain

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Rash

In rare cases, a person may develop encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, or meningitis. Those symptoms can include:

  • High fever

  • Headache

  • neck stiffness

  • Stupor

  • disorientation

  • Coma

  • Tremors

  • Convulsions

  • Muscle weakness

  • Vision loss

  • Numbness

  • Paralysis

People over 60 years old are at greater risk for severe illness, along with people with certain medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants.

How is West Nile virus diagnosed?

The CDC recommends that people who think they have West Nile virus speak with their health care provider. They can provide a diagnosis based on signs and symptoms, history of possible exposure to infected mosquitoes and lab tests of blood or spinal fluids.

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How is West Nile virus treated?

The bad news is that no specific vaccines or medicines are available to treat infection, and antibiotics do not treat viruses, according to the CDC.

Clinical management can help, and patients with severe illness should contact their health care provider.

How common is West Nile virus in Florida?

Cases of West Nile virus are reported throughout the U.S. every year and activity typically occur during the summer months into the fall, according to the CDC.

There have been 442 West Nile virus cases reported in Florida between 2003-2022, according to the Florida Department of Health.

How to prevent West Nile virus

The best way to mitigate the risk of contracting West Nile virus is to reduce the chance of being bitten by a mosquito. While that may sound like a futile battle, there are some practical tips.

  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients:

    • DEET

    • Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)

    • IR3535

    • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)

    • Para-menthane-diol (PMD)

    • 2-undecanone

  • Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your arms and legs

  • Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors

  • Use air conditioning

  • Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water

    • Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, flowerpots or any other container where water has accumulated.

    • Clean birdbaths and pet water bowls.

    • Keep swimming pools in good condition

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: First West Nile virus cases reported in Florida. What to know