Diseases Article Heena

Overview

What is Jamestown Canyon virus?

Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) is a rare but emerging disease found throughout the U.S. It spreads to people who are bitten by mosquitoes infected with the virus.

JCV often doesn’t cause symptoms. Some people may experience fever, fatigue or headache. Jamestown Canyon virus can also lead to severe illness and hospitalization. The best way to avoid infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Why is it named Jamestown Canyon virus?

Jamestown Canyon virus was first discovered in mosquitoes in 1961 in Jamestown, Colorado.

What type of disease is Jamestown Canyon virus?

Jamestown Canyon virus is an arbovirus. This type of virus is spread to people by insects (arthropods) like mosquitoes and ticks. Lyme disease, which is spread through tick bites, is a bacterial infection and not an arbovirus.

Other arboviral illnesses include:

• Chikungunya.
• Dengue fever.
• La Crosse encephalitis.
• Powassan virus.
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).
• Snowshoe hare virus.
• West Nile virus.
• Zika virus.

Is Jamestown Canyon virus rare?

Jamestown Canyon virus is rare, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted an increase in reported cases.

• Between 2012 and 2021, the CDC received 267 reports of the virus, most often in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
• In 2021, 32 cases of Jamestown Canyon virus were reported.

Researchers believe the disease is underdiagnosed and underreported due to a lack of awareness and testing. Symptoms of Jamestown Canyon virus may also be mistaken for other, more common infections.

What are the symptoms of Jamestown Canyon virus?

Most people with Jamestown Canyon virus don’t develop symptoms. Or you may experience flu-like symptoms a few days to two weeks after your mosquito bite.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.

You may also have:

• Chills.
• Cough.
• Dizziness.
• Muscle aches.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Runny or stuffy nose (congestion).
• Sore throat (pharyngitis).

People who have weak immune systems or who are older may be more likely to develop severe disease from Jamestown Canyon virus. About 50% of people infected with JCV are hospitalized.

Severe symptoms may include:

• Confusion.
• Difficulty speaking or moving.
• Loss of coordination.
• Seizure.
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
• Stiff neck.

Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 (or your local emergency services number) immediately if you or a loved one has one or more of these symptoms. You may have a central nervous system infection (neuroinvasive disease), such as encephalitis or meningitis, requiring emergency treatment.

What causes Jamestown Canyon virus?

Here’s how Jamestown Canyon virus spreads:

1. Small germs (microbes) infect mammals like deer or bison to produce more copies of itself.
2. Mosquitoes feed on infected animals, most often white-tailed deer.
3. The mosquitoes then bite people.
4. Infected saliva from mosquitoes enters your blood, infecting you.

What are the risk factors for Jamestown Canyon virus?

Your risk of developing JCV is higher the more you’re exposed to mosquitoes. Infection is more likely if you spend a lot of time outdoors or don’t take preventive measures to protect yourself from bites.

You may also be more likely to attract certain species of mosquitoes if you:

• Are larger and produce more carbon dioxide (CO2) and lactic acid.
• Have a certain blood type (a 2004 study suggested type O for some mosquito species).
• Move around or fidget a lot when mosquitoes are active (which also produces more CO2 and lactic acid).
• Produce a particular odor, including perfume or smelly feet.
• Wear dark clothing.