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For the most current information about the West Nile virus, visit
West Nile Virus at Arkansas Dept of Health or
West Nile Virus by Centers for Disease Control
Both these sites are updated regularly and provide excellent information.
The Arkansas Department of Health monitors the state for mosquito-borne diseases and has established a West Nile Virus hotline to respond to public inquiries. If you have a question, please call 501.280.4817 between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday thru Friday. For after-hours or weekends, please call 1.800.554.5738
The Centers for Disease Control also has a West Nile Virus hotline at 1.888.246.2675 or in Spanish at 1.888.246.2857
What are the symptoms of the WNV?
Symptoms of human West Nile virus infections typically begin within 14 days following a mosquito bite. Most people that get bitten by an infected mosquito do not get sick or only show very mild or no symptoms. Symptoms may consist of fever, muscle and joint aches, listlessness, and in the most severe cases, headaches leading to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
How is the WNV spread?
West Nile virus is transmitted by infected mosquitos biting humans, horses, and other animals after feeding on diseased birds, which are the host animals. Not all mosquitos have the virus in them, but clearly, the more mosquito bites you are exposed to, the greater the risk of catching the disease.
How do I protect myself and family from getting the virus?
The following are a few ways to reduce your risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito:
-Use mosquito repellent containing up to 35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide)
-Wear protective clothing when outdoors
-Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers
-Remove all discarded tires on your property
-Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
-Make sure roof gutters drain properly and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall
-Turn over plactic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. Change the water in birdbaths
-Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds
-Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs
-Drain water from pool covers
-Use landscaping and good drainage techniques to eliminate stagnant water that collects on your property
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