It was first identified in the United States in the late summer of 1999 when 61 cases including seven deaths were identified in the New York City area. There have also been some human cases in New Jersey, and the virus has been isolated from both birds and mosquitoes in this state. The control of mosquito breeding will continue to be an essential element in the prevention of human disease. The incubation period in humans is 5 to 15 days, but not all humans infected with the disease will become ill. Most infections are mild and symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
Most people recover from the disease.
When more severe symptoms occur, they can range from fever, rash and headache to meningitis, encephalitis, coma and death. The most serious illness tends to occur in the elderly and those with weak immune systems. There is no specific treatment, nor is there a vaccine. However, most people recover completely within two weeks. West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.