The Nassau County Department of Health has confirmed 4 cases of West Nile-like Virus. A 75-year old Canadian, who had visited New York City in September, recently died after falling ill with symptoms consistent with a viral encephalitis. Symptoms can be inapparent to mild. Three to twelve days following the bite of an infected mosquito, symptoms will range from a slight fever and headache to rapid onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, muscle weakness, and disorientation. Fatalities usually occur in the elderly.
Illness is more severe in adults than in children.
This outbreak is the first introduction of the virus into the North American Continent. Health Canada is collaborating with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York State Public Health authorities to assess the risk of introduction of this virus into Canada. DEET should be applied sparingly to exposed surfaces only and washed off after coming indoors. New formulations that contain a lower concentration of DEET, while protecting for longer periods, are available in Canada.