West Nile virus: 
Information for parents
What is West Nile virus?
Do mosquitoes everywhere carry the virus?
What are the symptoms of infection with West
Nile virus?
Is West Nile virus dangerous to children?
What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
What can I do to protect my children?
West Nile virus is spread by
infected mosquitoes. Not every mosquito carries West Nile virus, and
not every person bitten by a mosquito will get infected with West
Nile virus. However, if you live in an area where the virus is
active, it’s important to protect yourself and your family.
In Canada, the virus is
active from May until the end of October, with a peak in late August
to early September.
West Nile virus was first
discovered in Uganda in 1937 and has since been found in parts of
Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. It first appeared in
Canada in the summer of 2001, when infected birds were found in
Ontario. In August 2002, the first human infections were reported in
Canada during an outbreak in Ontario. Last year, the virus was found
in mosquitoes in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.
Health Canada keeps track of
where the virus is active. For more information visit
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/wnv-vwn/index.html.
In many cases, people with
the virus will have no symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they usually
show up between three and 14 days after the person has been bitten
by an infected mosquito.
Symptoms are often flu-like
and can include fever, aches and fatigue. In very few cases, the
virus can cause a serious illness like encephalitis (a swelling of
the brain), meningitis (a brain infection) or paralysis.
Serious illness from West
Nile virus is more common in adults than in children. Most children
who get the virus will have only a mild illness. Still, it’s
possible for children to get very sick.
Children with weak immune
systems or who already have a serious illness are most at risk of
becoming very sick.
There is at least one known
case of a pregnant woman passing on the virus to her unborn baby.
The baby was born with serious medical problems. However, it isn’t
clear whether the virus was the only factor involved.
In another case, a mother
passed on the virus through her breastmilk, but her baby didn’t show
any symptoms. From what is currently known, it isn’t necessary for
infected women to stop breastfeeding.
Although pregnant women are
no more at risk than other people, they should take care to prevent
mosquito bites.
The best protection against
West Nile virus is avoiding mosquito bites. Currently, there is no
treatment or vaccine to prevent the disease.
If you live in an area where
the virus is active, take care to protect your children when they
are outside, whether at home, school, day care or camp.
Here are some suggestions to
protect yourself and your family:
Help reduce the mosquito
population
Mosquitoes breed in standing
water, even very small amounts. You can reduce the number of
breeding spots around your home by:
-
Regularly draining
standing water from items like toys, flower pots, cans,
buckets, barrels and pool covers;
-
Removing anything
where water can collect, like old tires;
-
Keeping clean and
changing the water frequently in swimming pools, decorative
pools, children’s wading pools and bird baths; and
-
Cleaning out clogged
gutters.
Reduce your exposure to
mosquitoes
-
Mosquitoes are most
active at dawn and dusk. Reduce the amount of time you spend
outside during these times.
-
Be sure your windows
and doors are properly screened.
-
Use barriers like
mosquito nets or screens for baby strollers.
-
Wear protective
clothing when possible: light-coloured clothing with long
sleeves and cuffs, long pants tucked into socks or shoes, and
hats are recommended.
Discourage
mosquitoes from biting
Insect repellents don’t kill
mosquitoes but they make us unattractive to them. The only products
proven to work outdoors for a long period of time are those that
contain DEET.
Not all products have the
same concentration or amount of DEET. The amount of DEET in a
product is expressed as a percentage, such as 10% DEET.
Insect repellents that are
used on children should have a small concentration of DEET,
depending on the age of the child. These products should not be used
on children younger than six months.
-
For children from six
months to two years old, use products with 10% DEET or less,
only once a day.
-
For children between
two years and 12 years, use products with no more than 10%
DEET, up to three times a day.
- For
children over 12 years, use products with 30% DEET or less. If
needed, re-apply when it’s no longer working. The number of
hours of protection depends on how much DEET is in the
product.
Please consult the Canadian
Paediatric Society’s information sheet on insect repellents for
children (www.caringforkids.cps.ca/keepingkidssafe/repellents.htm)
before using these products.
More information from
Health Canada:
General information: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/diseases/west_nile.html
West Nile virus: Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/publicat/info/wnv_pregnancy_e.html
West Nile virus surveillance:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/wnv-vwn/index.html
Source: Developed by the CPS Infectious Diseases and
Immunization Committee. Published in Paediatrics & Child Health,
May-June 2003.
Posted June 2003
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This information should not be used as a substitute for the
medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations
in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual
facts and circumstances.
Canadian Paediatric
Society, 2204 Walkley Road, Suite 100, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4G8
Phone: 613-526-9397, fax: 613-526-3332
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