Oklahoma reports 1st West Nile virus case and death of 2024
Oklahoma state health officials report the first human case, and death, caused by West Nile Virus (WNV) in a Southwest Oklahoma resident. The patient was hospitalized before passing away.
Oklahoma saw 52 total cases of WNV in 2023.
“We expect the number of human cases to increase as the temperatures rise throughout the summer,” said Jolianne Stone, the State Epidemiologist. “Typically, summertime is the beginning of the WNV season in Oklahoma, so with more people participating in outdoor activities there are increased opportunities for encountering infected mosquitoes.”
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a reportable disease in Oklahoma. WNV is part of a group of viruses called arboviruses and is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.
WNV spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. In Oklahoma, WNV is primarily spread by the Culex mosquito, which feeds on infected birds and then spreads the virus when biting humans, horses, and some other mammals.
The virus must circulate in the mosquito for a few days before they can pass the virus to other animals and humans while biting.
This type of mosquito increases in abundance during mid to late summer when temperatures are high, and the weather pattern is dry.
There is no documented evidence of WNV being spread from person to person or from animal to person. In a very small number of cases, WNV has been spread through organ transplant, blood transfusion, and from mother to baby (pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding).
While the vast majority of individuals with WNV will likely never experience symptoms following an infection, those with symptoms, are often mild and may include sudden fever, headache, dizziness or muscle weakness.
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Recovery typically occurs within one to three weeks.
People older than 50 years, diabetics, or those experiencing uncontrolled hypertension are at a greater risk of developing severe neurologic disease from WNV infection. When the disease affects the nervous system, it can cause confusion or disorientation, loss of consciousness, paralysis, neck stiffness or coma.
Long-lasting complications of WNV disease can include difficulty concentrating, migraines, headaches, extreme muscle weakness and tremors, and paralysis of a limb. There is no vaccine or treatment drug for this illness. The best defense is taking steps to avoid mosquito bites.
Health officials are reminding the public to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
Tips to avoid mosquito bites and prevent WNV:
Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin and clothing when going outdoors, particularly between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are more likely to bite. Insect repellent with permethrin should be used on clothing only.
Repair or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of the home.
Prevent items such as buckets, cans, pool covers, flower pots, children’s toys and tires from holding water to prevent providing mosquitoes a place to breed.
Empty any pet’s outdoor water bowl and refill daily.
Scrub and refill bird baths every three days.
Clean leaves and debris from rain gutters regularly to ensure they are not clogged.
Since the beginning of the year. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported 16 human cases in 12 states.
In the US in 2023, 2,566 total WNV cases were reported, including 1,840 hospitalizations and 182 deaths.