 Arboviral diseases
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Arboviral
(short for arthropod-borne) diseases are caused by arboviruses that are spread to people by
a bite of an infected
arthropod, including mosquitoes and ticks. In the United States, mosquitoes
can spread West Nile virus (WNV), California serogroup viruses
(California encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis, and Jamestown Canyon),
Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), Western equine encephalitis
virus (WEEV), and St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV). In Wisconsin, we
usually see reports of La Crosse encephalitis, West Nile, and Powassan
virus infections. These infections generally occur during warm weather
months when mosquitoes and ticks are active. Symptoms of illness are
usually mild and nonspecific that can include headache, fever, fatigue,
muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Some people may experience severe
neuroinvasive illness including flaccid paralysis, encephalitis
(swelling of the brain) and meningitis.
General Information
Arboviral
infections fact sheet (PDF, 16 KB) Hmong (PDF, 14 KB) Spanish (PDF,
17 KB)
Prevention
Some tips to protect yourself:
- Use effective mosquito repellant and apply according to the label
instructions.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes.
- Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes
with a repellent containing permethrin or DEET will give extra
protection. These repellants are the most effective and most studied.
- Avoid being outside during times of high mosquito activity,
specifically around dawn and dusk.
- Keep window screens repaired so that mosquitoes cannot enter your
home.
- Dispose of discarded tires, cans, or plastic containers left
outside that may contain standing water.
- Drain standing water from pool or hot tub covers.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheel barrows when not in use.
- Change the water in bird baths, pet dishes and wading pools every
3-4 days.
- Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean of trash and weeds so
water will drain properly.
- Clean gutters to ensure they drain
properly.
For more information,
Using Insect Repellants Safely - CDC
(exit DHS)
Data and statistics
Information for health professionals
This is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category II disease:
Report to
the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin
Electronic Disease Surveillance System
(WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case
Report F44151 (PDF,
167 KB) or by other means within 72 hours upon recognition of a
case. DHS
Communicable Disease Reporting
Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up
guidelines
Arboviral
diseases EpiNet (PDF, 52 KB)
Arbovirus
case report form (PDF, 46 KB)
2013 Arbovirus management protocol (PDF, 372 KB)
Laboratory guidance
Training
Educational material available from the Department of Health
Services:
| Form/Publication Number |
Form Name |
| DPH-42166 |
“Use Protection, Avoid Infection” Mosquito-borne
Pocket Card |
Electronically order
forms: Follow the instructions at the top of the page and email the form
F-80025A (can be used to order multiple forms/publications) to
dhsfmdphpph@wisconsin.gov. Questions concerning ordering of forms can be addressed to Chris Caputo,
608-267-905
Additional resources
Contacts
Wisconsin
Local Health Departments - Regional offices - Tribal agencies
Diep Hoang Johnson
Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist
Wisconsin Division of Public Health
Bureau of Communicable Diseases and Emergency Response
(Phone 608-267-0249) (Fax 608-261-4976)
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Last Revised:
April 17, 2013 |
