Stockton, CA might be facing a possible outbreak of the fatal West Nile virus, reports an article from RecordNet.com dated March 14, 2014. The virus was originally found in the West Nile region (hence its name), yet it eventually found its way across the globe. The article warns that the virus’ main carrier is mosquitoes, so locals will need to take preventative measures to keep these insects at bay:
“Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so people need to be vigilant and eliminate any possible breeding ground. Mosquitoes need only a teaspoon of water in which to lay eggs.
People should look around their homes for buckets, barrels, wheelbarrows, tires and other containers that might have water. They should also check and clean rain gutters and repair broken faucets and sprinklers.
West Nile virus can be fatal to birds and horses. There is a vaccine for horses but not for humans.”
Those who have caught the West Nile virus need immediate medical attention the instant they start manifesting symptoms, which resemble those of the flu. Unfortunately, since one can contract the disease without showing any obvious signs at its first few stages, patients might want to have themselves checked by a doctor should they get bitten by mosquitoes. Fortunately, a West Stockton urgent care center can help patients deal with this kind of lethal contagion.
The West Nile virus can lay dormant within the infected person for 2 to 15 days. Afterwards, it starts manifesting distinct symptoms typical of neuroinvasive diseases, including headaches, fever, meningitis, and so on. There is yet to be a cure for the virus, so patients will have to receive at least immediate supportive care to stand a chance of surviving. Failure to quickly respond to the disease’s effects could be fatal for patients.
If individuals suspect that they might be incubating the West Nile virus, they should immediately seek the advice of a doctor for confirmation. A local West Stockton walk-in clinic, such as the one operated by U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group, can attend to such cases, and will even offer to provide supportive care to those suffering from advanced versions of the disease. The West Nile virus also makes its victims vulnerable to other infections; urgent care clinics can help prevent such complications from happening.
(Source: Season’s first evidence of W. Nile in bird, recordnet.com, March 14, 2014)
U.S. HealthWorks Stockton (West) 