West Nile virus or (WNV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic arbovirus meaning (transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, or other arthropods). The virus is typically found in the tropical regions of the world due to the orientation of its vectors. Looking into the causative agent the virus is single stranded with a lipid envelope and positive sense RNA, (refer to fig 1). It belongs to the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae and a Phylum or Division: Virus. There are two different genetic strains for this virus the first of which is found In Africa, North America, Asia, Australia and Europe. The second is predominately found sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar.
SYMTOMS:
There are generally no symptoms in most people when infected with this virus. In fact (70-80%) of people who become infected with the West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms of any kind. However (20%) of the total people infected will develop mild illnesses. This will range from a fever developing with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but
…show more content…
A corollary idea is that because we cause our actions, we can be held morally accountable or legally liable’. This links to the West Nile Virus through our actions to attempt at preventing the spread on this disease. In saying this taking up the actions as explained above would decrease the amount of impact this virus has on the population. However this is not a perfect world and so it is let to those like the CDC to control these preventatives. Social responsibility looks a more broad impact of our actions. It is our obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. Getting involved it preventative measures looks beyond our back yard to the effects this virus has on those around us and even to other
The Iowa Department of Public Health has confirmed a rare case of disease caused by the Jamestown Canyon virus. In addition, there are two cases has been reported to the Iowa’s Health Department about West Nile Virus, which is also an illness spread by mosquitoes, along with Jamestown Canyon virus. According to the author, people who are infected by these two viruses will experience: “fever, headache, and flulike illness.” Luckily, however, “the patients who had Jamestown Canyon virus and West Nile virus are slowly recovering.”
Individuals with mild symptoms of West Nile Virus make up about twenty percent of the populations of infected humans. This form of the disease is known as West Nile Fever. The symptoms of West Nile Fever include: fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands, and a skin rash appearing on the back, chest or stomach. A headache and high fever are the most common indicators for a West Nile Virus infection. These mild symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. (California Government, 2005).
In New Mexico, we started off with 47 West Nile cases in the year 2012, in the year 2013 there were 38 cases, and in the year 2014 there 24 cases were identified (CDC, n.d.). With these CDC statistics, it can be said that both Epidemiologists and Public Health Professionals are doing an adequate job of educating and preventing further West Nile cases. There are also tools such as the CDC website that give information on how to prevent people from catching West Nile. No new information has been learned about the virus and viral transmission. However, a few small amount of cases have shown human infection which consisted of the
Quarantine requires ethical justification and it imposes sizable costs on communities as well as individuals in terms of both liberty and economic impacts. The author mentions that basic ethical justification for quarantine stems from our moral obligation not to harm others. The author argued that the Harm Principle is to prevent harm to others. The basic principle is if quarantine prevents people from infecting others. It is fact that many people in quarantine will be exposed but not infected. It means that they are not dangerous to other people. Another principle that is described by the author is “Siracusa Principle”, which demands that coercive public health measures be legitimate, legal, necessary and represent the least restrictive means appropriate to reasonable achievement of public health goals. The basic concept is don’t use involuntary quarantine or surveillance devices. In conclusion, this article really brings the ideas on how to prevent diseases and the author describes ethical views of public health
The West Nile Virus is a virus that people can get from an infected mosquito bite. This virus disappeared and no one heard much of many people getting the virus for about 20 years. In the 1990´s there was a big comeback on the rise for the West Nile Virus. That also consisted of the infected bugs slowly but surely making their way to America from Africa, the Native country to this virus (Phillip).
The Symptoms of West Nile virus: West Nile virus, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, can produce flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, and skin rash (MedicineNet.com, 2015). While most infected individuals have mild disease and recover spontaneously, infection can be serious or even fatal. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus (MEdicineNet.com, 2015). The Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Initial symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, muscle pain, and lack of appetite. The characteristic red, spotted rash of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is usually not seen until the sixth day or later after symptoms begin. As many as 10% to 15 % of patients may never develop a rash (Traveldoctor.com, 2015). Rocky Mountain spotted fever is treated with antibiotics. Signs of infection: It is normal for a bite or sting to result in redness of the affected area and minor swelling, but if a bite or sting becomes infected, a fever may develop or the redness or soreness may worsen. In cases of infection, an antibiotic is the typical treatment (Traveldoctor.com,
When it comes to health and immunity, I agree with Biss’s statement regarding how our decisions as individuals can impact the community as a whole. Although as human beings we are able to make choices that can benefit our own health, without collective public urgency, one’s efforts can be stunted or ineffective. I have personally observed this phenomenon while growing up on Indian Lake. I feel that the lake community can act as an analogy for collective immunity because, just like public health, the preservation of the lake ecosystem relies on each individual making their own contribution. Similarly to how preventable diseases can penetrate a population, invasive species can trespass into the lake, as a result of neglect. Because of just one person failing to follow precautions, the entire community suffers. For this reason, it is necessary to stress the impact that one’s decisions can have on a collective group.
Over the years, there has been many fatal shootings in schools. Many of these shootings have been caused from both genders, and all ages. This following fall 2016, the new “open carry” will be allowed at San Jacinto College, and I disagree with this decision. The new “open carry” will cause more danger in schools. “Open carry” law refers to the act of publicly carrying a gun on one’s person plain sight.
The severe type leads to neuroinvasive diseases, such as meningitis or encephalitis, both meaning inflammation of the brain. Other serious symptoms for West Nile Virus include stupor, disorientation, weakness, tremors and convulsions, coma, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Out of the few that get the severe type of West Nile Virus, ten percent unfortunately do not survive. The West Nile Virus overall is not life threatening, considering only a fraction of one percent of the infected people die, but there still is that small possibility. The more severe cases of West Nile occur mainly in the elderly and those with weaker immune
What is the significance to your local community and the state community in relation to the disease?
The distribution of exotic animals has influenced the infection among humans concerning West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus is an infection that can cause serious disease in humans. West Nile Virus is a seasonal epidemic that is in North America. It flares up in the summer and continues into the fall.
In conclusion, the West Nile Virus is not that dangerous to our society today. Even if someone does get bitten by a mosquito that is carrying the virus, only about 20 percent of people will get the disease. Even if they do get the disease it is usually just a little sickness that you will overcome. The most dangerous part of this disease is when it affects the brain, but this is a 1 percent chance. There has been various incidents in the U.S. There has been about 44,000 cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the United States since
What is West Nile Fever? West Nile fever also known as West Nile virus is a mosquito borne disease transferred from mosquito to person. Encephalitis is a disease that West nile virus can cause. What encephalitis does is it causes inflammation of the brain which in some cases can be fatal. The west Nile virus wasn’t discovered until 1937 in Africa. The disease didn’t make its way into the United States until 1999. The Virus is most common during the summer months (July- September) which is when mosquitos the carrier of the disease are most active. But in some states it is at risk all year round. Most people who are bitten and infected even receive the virus.
West Nile Virus is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitos. West Nile is a virus that reacts very differently depending on the person that is infected with it. In fact, most people do not ever develop symptoms after being infected by the West Nile Virus via a mosquito bite. That means 70-80% of all people are asymptomatic after contracting this disease (Centers for Disease Control Website, 2015). That is a large number of people that do not present with any symptoms which to me that means this is a vastly under reported disease. If the person happens to be one of the unlucky 20% that dose present with symptoms then there is a wide range that this patient can present with. Most people that present with symptoms are going to have flu like symptoms things like Headache, fever, joint pain, diarrhea, and vomiting (Centers for Disease Control Website, 2015). When West Nile Virus is suspected then appropriate testing is ordered which is one of two ways either by blood test, or by cerebral spinal fluid (Centers for Disease Control Website, 2015)
Paternalistic policies can be effective in preventing injuries and deaths in the population (Gostin, 2008). Paternalism exists throughout Contagion. In order to keep the masses safe from contracting the MEV-1 virus, public health agencies initiated safety guidelines for the general public to follow. From a public health aspect, individual interests must yield to those of the wider community to facilitate the public’s health, safety, and well-being. The public health tradition values prevention and views its successes or failures based on the benefits and burdens that accrue to populations rather than to individuals. This