Key points
- There is no specific treatment for Cache Valley virus disease; clinical management is supportive.
- Monitor patients with neuroinvasive disease closely for severe complications.
- Counsel patients about using personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites.
- Patients with Cache Valley virus disease should not donate blood for 4 months after their illness.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for Cache Valley virus disease; clinical management is supportive. Patients with severe meningeal symptoms often require pain control for headaches and antiemetic therapy and rehydration for associated nausea and vomiting. Patients with encephalitis require close monitoring for the development of elevated intracranial pressure, seizures, and inability to protect their airway.
Prevention
No Cache Valley virus vaccines are available for use in humans. In the absence of a vaccine, prevention of Cache Valley virus infection depends on personal protective measures to decrease exposure to infected mosquitoes. This includes using EPA-approved insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, treating clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin, and taking steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors. More information about reducing exposure to mosquito bites is available on the prevention page.
Cache Valley virus can rarely be transmitted through blood transfusions. People with confirmed Cache Valley virus infections should not donate blood for 120 days (4 months) after their illness. Cache Valley virus infections temporally associated with blood transfusion should be reported promptly to the appropriate state health department.