Irish travellers going to the United States and Canada have been urged to take precautions against a viral infection transmitted through mosquito bites.
The National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) said today that the West Nile Virus, normally a mild illness, has recently appeared in North America and usually peaks in late summer. The virus can produce a severe infection of the brain.
NDSC specialist in public health medicine Dr Paul McKeown said although there have been no reported cases of the disease in Ireland or Britain, it is important for travellers to be aware of the small, potential risk and of the appropriate preventative measures.
"West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Four out of five people who are bitten will have no symptoms at all, while about 20 per cent will develop a mild flu-like illness, with fever, headache and aches and pains."Less than 1 per cent develop more severe disease which produces headache, high fever, stiff neck, sore eyes, disorientation, muscle weakness, convulsions and coma," he said.
"There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the disease. Mild cases recover quickly with simple symptomatic ('cold and flu') treatment. More severe cases require hospitalisation and specialised supportive treatment".
The risk of developing severe symptoms increases with age. Over fities, for example, are about ten times more likely than children and young people to develop severe symptoms; the risk for those over 80 is almost 50 times higher. People with weakened immune systems are also likely to be more vulnerable to severe disease, according to Dr McKeown.
"The best way to protect yourself against West Nile Virus is to protect yourself against mosquito bites".
Mosquitoes carrying the virus are most active at dawn and dusk. The NDSC said people should, where possible, avoid areas near water where mosquitoes are more likely to be present. Appropriate clothing, nets, air conditioning and repellents can reduce the possibility of mosquito bites, Dr McKeown said.