TODAY: Two kids diagnosed with disease from infected mosquito bite Charleston Daily Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Two local children have been diagnosed with a disease that is caused from an infected mosquito bite than can lead to severe, life-threatening inflammation of the brain. Health officials at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department are investigating cases of two Kanawha County children under age 15 being hospitalized and diagnosed with La Cross Encephalitis, confirmed Dr. Rahul Gupta, health officer and executive director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. Health officials in West Virginia routinely test mosquitoes to determine if they are infected with disease that can be transmitted to humans, according to a Kanawha-Charleston Health Department release. According to the 2013 West Virginia Vectoborne Disease Surveillance Report, the La Crosse virus has been isolated from mosquito pools collected in several counties in West Virginia, including a site in the eastern part of Kanawha County. Children under age 15 are most at risk, though the disease can occur at any age. Children are more likely to get the infection if they live near the woods and play outdoors frequently during May through October near areas where mosquitoes breed. Breeding can occur in areas where there are containers that collect and hold water, such as old tires, rain barrels, buckets and wading pools. Breeding grounds can even be found in discarded cans or bottles. Arboviral infections commonly occur during the summer and fall months when mosquitoes are active. Most people with La Crosse infection do not get sick. Some people may develop a mild illness with symptoms of headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and confusion. In severe cases, people may have seizures or go into a coma. La Crosse is rarely fatal, but children may have headaches, seizures or other problems after they get well. The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department noted several steps to prevent arboviral infections: *Remove containers that collect water near homes (where mosquitoes lay eggs) *Make sure doors and screens are bug tight *Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever outdoors *Avoid outside activities when mosquitoes are active (usually dusk and dawn) *Use an effective insect repellent that contains one of the following: DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 and follow manufacturer directions carefully There is no way to determine if a mosquito is infected, so if you or your child develops symptoms, contact your physician. More information can be found at kchdwv.org or by calling the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department at 304 348-1088.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 17:46:45 +0000
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