Guest Author - Janet Collins

Ah, the sunny days of summer. Nothing beats time in the great outdoors on days filled with sunshine and warm evenings. But a tiny seasonal menace is also on the scene. For most, it will do little more than interrupt a peaceful night’s sleep with its incessant buzzing or cause an irritating itch when given the opportunity to bite. Sadly, a few of those same bites will cause some people to become seriously – even fatally – ill.

That illness is caused by the West Nile Virus (WNV), a virus carried by mosquitoes that most commonly infects birds such as crows. But other animals, and even people, can also be infected.

Health Canada notes that the majority of people infected with WNV show no symptoms. One in five of those infected will show symptoms such as fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting and body aches. A skin rash and swollen glands are also common. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to weeks.

In more severe cases, the infection can produce neck stiffness, extreme confusion, disorientation, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the 4,269 cases of West Nile reported in 2006, at least 177 people died. The number of deaths was the greatest since 2003, when 264 people died out of nearly 10,000 cases. Some of those infected contracted the disease while traveling to areas of the US and Canada where the mosquito population was infected with the virus.

Toronto Public Health notes that while the risk of infection is generally low – less than 1% of people infected will become ill enough to be hospitalized – seniors are most at risk of severe illness from the virus, even if they are healthy.

There is currently no vaccine for people (only horses), but there are ways to lessen your chances of contracting the virus should you travel to an area of high risk. For example, limit time spent outdoors at dusk and dawn, prime times for mosquito activity. Experts also suggest wearing light-coloured clothing, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks as much as possible when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are present.

If you must travel in an area where WNV-infected mosquitoes have been reported, most health experts recommend using an insect repellent containing DEET. However, seniors should take extra care when applying the pesticide.

Studies have shown that high dosage of DEET in some products may be too toxic for seniors because older skin is more permeable to chemicals. Further, seniors with chronic skin conditions should be extremely cautious about applying DEET to their skin as the chemical can exacerbate certain skin conditions.

It is best to use DEET sparingly, and only on exposed skin. Do not use it under clothing.

Experts also strongly suggest avoiding mixing DEET and sunscreen. The combination results in the active chemicals passing more quickly into the skin. As a result, the products lose their skin-surface protection capabilities.

If you must apply both sunscreen and DEET, it has been suggested that sunscreen be applied first as it works best close to the skin. If sunscreen is applied on top of the DEET, the repellent nature of the product will be greatly diluted.

To find out more about the risk of West Nile Virus in your travel destination, contact the local health authority. They can also provide information about ways to prevent infection, as can your family doctor and community health authority.