About West Nile

📅 Published: August 26, 2025

📰 Source: newsday_com

Curated by AllZimNews.com

West Nile virus is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

People get infected with the virus during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall (typically June through October).

The number of people diagnosed with West Nile typically peaks in late August to early September.

Each year, about 2,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with West Nile, but this number is an underestimate as most people do not develop symptoms or attribute mild symptoms to other causes.

Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms.

Some people develop mild illness with flu-like symptoms, such as fever with headache or body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

Most people with mild illness recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.

Some people develop severe illness, which can affect the central nervous system or illness that results in hospitalization or death.

Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, or paralysis.

Recovery from severe illness can take several weeks or months.

Some effects may be permanent.

Symptoms usually start 2–6 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.