It’s no secret that the U.S. is collectively losing its mind over the Zika virus. This mosquito-borne menace can slip in unnoticed, causing little to no symptoms, making it a sneaky little culprit. The real nightmare? It’s particularly harmful to babies. In pregnant women, Zika can lead to severe birth defects, including microcephaly, eye issues, hearing loss, and stunted growth. The thought of Zika affecting infants has us all on edge, especially with reports of it lurking in Miami’s mosquitoes.
But hold on a second! While we’re busy panicking about Zika, we’re overlooking another flavivirus that’s just as concerning. Enter the West Nile virus, which was first spotted in New York back in 1999. This virus is transmitted when mosquitoes feast on infected birds and then bite humans. Shockingly, 80% of those infected don’t even realize they have it—only 20% show symptoms like fever, aches, and rash. Even more alarmingly, less than 1% can develop severe neurological illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis, and 10% of those cases can be fatal.
Each summer, outbreaks occur, and since 1999, West Nile has claimed 1,700 lives in the U.S. Unlike Zika, which has been mostly travel-related or found in just one neighborhood and Puerto Rico, West Nile is widespread across all lower 48 states.
Feeling anxious yet? This year alone, there have been 662 reported cases of West Nile in the U.S., with 323 of those classified as “neuroinvasive,” meaning people got really, really sick. So far, we’ve seen 18 fatalities. In 2002, the virus hit epidemic levels with nearly 3,000 cases of neuroinvasive illness, affecting even infants as young as three months. It tends to strike those with weaker immune systems hardest—think children, the elderly, and the frail.
Yes, the risks are slim, but so are the risks associated with Zika, especially for those not pregnant. So why are we so fixated on Zika while practically ignoring West Nile? After all, West Nile can actually be deadly, while Zika primarily causes birth defects (which, let’s be honest, are still serious but not the same as death). Zika’s impact on babies, resulting in visible and distressing disabilities, creates a more immediate sense of horror. A baby with microcephaly is a terrifying image, much more so than a deceased grandparent. (Sorry, Grandma—think of the children!) Pregnant women often carry heightened emotions and dreams for their unborn child, and when those dreams are threatened, it understandably sends shockwaves through society.
Moreover, Zika is relatively new to us (though it’s been known elsewhere for a while), while West Nile has been around for 17 years. We’ve grown accustomed to hearing about West Nile cases, but the media frenzy surrounding Zika has heightened our fears.
West Nile doesn’t present a unique threat to children (aside from those with fragile health), so parents aren’t rushing to cover their little ones in the recommended 30% DEET or dressing them in long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk. But while the risks from West Nile are real, they’re far more pronounced than those from Zika, which is largely contained to travel-related and sexually transmitted cases.
What’s the Game Plan?
We should be taking the same precautions against West Nile as we do against Zika. This includes eliminating standing water, donning mosquito repellent with DEET, and wearing protective clothing. Plus, since West Nile has a transmission cycle involving birds, keep kids away from any dead ones. (My partner is particularly cautious about feathers, but that’s just him.) If you see any dead birds, report them to your local health department.
Zika might pose a threat to a small group (like pregnant women in Florida), but West Nile poses a risk to everyone across the country. However, since it doesn’t just affect tiny babies, we tend to overlook it. We need to shift our focus and remember that there’s another flavivirus out there that’s more dangerous and widespread than Zika in the U.S. It’s critical that we all take necessary precautions.
For more information, check out the CDC’s West Nile Disease Cases by State to see how many people have been infected or died in your area. And if you’re interested in aspects of pregnancy and home insemination, you might find this excellent resource helpful: Women’s Health on Pregnancy.
In summary, while Zika captures headlines, it’s essential not to forget about West Nile virus, which poses a more significant threat across the nation. Both require our attention and proactive measures to keep ourselves and our families safe.