Human Tests Positive For West Nile Virus In Clark County
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
A human has tested positive for West Nile in Clark County, a
ccording to the Arkansas Department of Health. There are a total of 28 human cas
es of West Nile virus reported in Arkansas, However, in 2004, no deaths have bee
n attributed to West Nile virus.
As of this date, ADH has reported birds testing positive for West Nile viru
s in a total of 36 counties: Arkansas, Ashley, Baxter, Benton, Boone, Bradley, C
arroll, Chicot, Crawford, Crittenden, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Jackson, Jeffers
on, Johnson, Independence, Lawrence, Logan, Lonoke, Miller, Mississippi, Ouachit
a, Pike, Poinsett, Polk, Pope Pulaski, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, Union, Van Bure
n, Washington, White, and Woodruff Counties.
West Nile virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes to humans, horses and
other animals after feeding on diseased birds, which are the host animals. Symp
toms of human West Nile Virus infections typically begin within 14 days followin
g the insect bite and consist of fever, muscle and joint aches, listlessness, an
d in most severe cases, headaches which may indicate encephalitis. Mosquitoes ca
n breed in any body of water, from small containers such as tires and tin cans,
to large bodies of water like lakes or marshes.
Last year, 26 West Nile infections were reported in Arkansas residents; the
re were no deaths from West Nile Virus in 2003.
