West Nile virus — it’s already killed 43 people. Do you know what it is?

West Nile Virus is a disease that makes a person ill and can kill when bitten by an infected mosquito.

“West Nile is a disease that causes inflammation of the brain. Symptoms are headaches, fevers, tremors, seizures, and in some cases death,” said Waldo Lopez, epidemiologist for the Laredo Health Department, who specializes in the study of West Nile.

Some people, mainly those under 30, could have West Nile virus and be unaware they are infected because some of the symptoms are not visible.

“Yes, you can have West Nile and not know it because in younger people the symptoms won’t show as much,” Lopez said.

The incubation period can last about two weeks.

“It develops from the time you get bitten, from three to 15 days. That is called the incubation period,” Lopez said.

People have died from West Nile, but the death rate is very low.

“You can die from an infected mosquito bite. The chance of that happening is 1 percent,” Lopez said.

Vaccines are made for bacteria, and it would take more time since West Nile is a virus.

“A virus is harder to cure than a bacteria. Recently in New York, doctors are using Alpha Interfernus. It’s also used for HIV,” Lopez said.

Although West Nile has been reported all over Texas, no reports have been made locally.

“No reports have been made in Laredo,” Lopez said.

There are 15 different types of mosquitoes. There is one species that does get infected.

“The type of mosquito is the culex species,” Lopez said.

According to www.cdc.gov there have been many bird and horse deaths infected with West Nile, but not many people have died, Usually the people who die are over the age of 50.

“Bird cases are 182, horse cases are 134, and human cases are 43 of West Nile,” Lopez said.