California serogroup (CSG) viruses include many viruses, such as the Jamestown Canyon and Snowshoe hare viruses, which are the most common in Québec. These viruses are also found throughout Canada and the United States. They are spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms
In most cases, people infected with a CSG virus do not develop any symptoms.
However, some individuals may develop symptoms 2 to 14 days after the mosquito bite. The nature of the symptoms of CSG infection varies. The most frequent symptoms are:
Fever and chills
Headaches
Fatigue
Muscle or joint pain
Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea
In rare cases, CSG may cause a severe neurological infection, such as meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain), encephalitis (brain inflammation) or myelitis (spinal cord inflammation), which can be manifested by the following symptoms:
Numbness or muscle weakness
Hypersensitivity of the eyes to light
Visual disorders
Stiff neck
Agitation, disorientation or confusion
When to consult
You must consult a doctor promptly if you experience one of the symptoms associated with a severe form of CSG infection listed above.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment or vaccine against CSG viruses. However, most people who are infected recover without treatment.
People who are seriously ill may have to be hospitalized. They will then be treated to stabilize and improve their condition.
Complications and aftereffects
Following an infection with neurological involvement, neurological deficits that may be permanent have been reported.
In rare cases, CSG viruses can be fatal.
Transmission
CSG viruses are transmitted to humans through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus.
Mosquitoes generally become carriers of the Snowshoe hare virus by biting small infected mammals such as hares, squirrels, chipmunks and various rodents. For the Jamestown Canyon virus, mosquitoes generally bite larger mammals such as deer and wapiti.
CSG viruses are not transmitted through contact with an infected animal or between two people.
People who work outside or participate in outdoor activities are most at risk of infection, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors without taking any measures of protection against mosquito bites. The risk of CSG virus infection is particularly high if the activity takes place in woods and forests.
Snowshoe hare virus infections are more common in children, while Jamestown Canyon virus infections are more common in adults.
Additional information
In Québec, the CSG virus infection is a reportable disease. Doctors are required to inform the public health authorities.
