Durham has West Nile Virus scare as other cases of mosquito-borne virus pop up in NC
Additional testing in Durham County reveals a local blood donor doesn’t have West Nile Virus, even though routine screening of blood donations pointed to a “presumptive case.”
Earlier this week, Durham County popped up on a West Nile Virus dashboard for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The U.S. has recorded 289 cases in 33 states so far this year, according to the CDC, though the agency warns that is likely an undercount.
The virus is most commonly spread by mosquitoes, but it can also spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, childbirth and breastfeeding, according to state epidemiologists.
That’s why donated blood is tested for the illness and discarded when antibodies are found. According to the American Red Cross, at least 95% of the cases it flags for West Nile Virus are confirmed by additional tests.
“Multiple criteria have to be met in order to indicate that a case is confirmed West Nile Virus,” said Alecia Smith, spokesperson for the Durham County Department of Health, in an email.
In Durham, additional screening “indicated that this did not in fact meet (the) criteria,” Smith told The News & Observer.
As of Tuesday, residents of three counties in the North Carolina mountains have confirmed cases of the disease, the CDC reports:
- Buncombe County: 1 severe case and 1 presumptive blood donor
- Rutherford County: 1 severe case
- Cleveland County: 1 severe case
Smith said the last confirmed case of West Nile Virus in Durham was in 2022.
Symptoms and risks of West Nile Virus
According to the CDC, only 20% of people infected with West Nile Virus develop symptoms.
Symptoms can include fever and aches, as well as nausea, diarrhea and skin rash.
It is rarely serious. About one in 150 people develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system, the CDC reports. That can result in high fever, confusion, convulsions, severe headaches, neck stiffness and paralysis.
There is no cure for West Nile Virus or specific medicine to treat it.
In cases where illness progresses to the central nervous system, one in 10 die, according to the CDC.
People over 60 are at the greatest risk. Medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease can also increase one’s risk.
How to avoid West Nile Virus
The best way to avoid West Nile Virus is to avoid mosquito bites.
- Use insect repellent.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants.
- Dump out standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
Late summer is the seasonal peak of West Nile Virus cases in the United States, according to the American Red Cross.
This story was originally published August 30, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
