The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) received reports of two recent deaths in the Central Nebraska region that have been attributed to West Nile Virus (WNV). In the last five years, Nebraska has seen an average of six WNV deaths per year.
WNV can occur in people of any age but people over 50 years of age or older or with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk for severe illness. Mild signs or symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. Severe signs or symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, and paralysis.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. Approximately one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. Approximately one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
DHHS encourages Nebraskans to use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing and pants, and take caution when outdoors at dawn and dusk in order to avoid mosquito bites.