Officials with the Florida Department of Health are reporting four additional West Nile virus (WNV) infections in Miami-Dade County. All four were asymptomatic WNV-positive blood donors.
This brings the total number of WNV infections for 2020 is now 22, all in Miami-Dade County–20 asymptomatic positive blood donors and two human cases acquired in Florida.
In 2020, positive samples from two humans, 20 asymptomatic blood donors, one horse, three crows, six blue jays, seven mosquito pools, and 35 sentinel chickens have been reported from 11 counties.
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.
It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV infections in people.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, pain, and fatigue. People with mild illness typically recover within about a week with symptomatic treatment.
Less than one-percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. Symptoms typically appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. People over the age of 60 and individuals with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for severe disease
Health officials continues to advise the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts by remembering to “Drain and Cover”: drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying, cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
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