Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

Symptoms

• Many people infected with Jamestown Canyon virus do not have symptoms.
• For people with symptoms, the time from mosquito bite to feeling sick ranges from a few days to 2 weeks.
• Initial symptoms can include fever, fatigue, and headache. Some people also have respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or runny nose.
• Jamestown Canyon virus can cause severe disease, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
• Symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis include stiff neck, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, or seizures.
• About half of patients reported with Jamestown Canyon virus disease are hospitalized.
• Deaths associated with Jamestown Canyon virus infection are rare.

Diagnosis

• See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above.
• Your healthcare provider can order tests to look for Jamestown Canyon virus infection.
• To learn more about testing, visit our Healthcare Providers page.

Treatment

• No vaccine or specific medicines are available for Jamestown Canyon virus infection.
• Treat the symptoms:
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever
• In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.
• If you think you or a family member might be infected with Jamestown Canyon virus, talk with your healthcare provider.
• To learn more about treatment, visit our Healthcare Providers page.