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West nile spreading rapidly { July 16 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61256-2003Jul15.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61256-2003Jul15.html
West Nile Spreading Rapidly
More States Finding Mosquito-Borne Virus Early in Year
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 16, 2003; Page A03
The West Nile virus is spreading much more quickly this year than last, raising fears the new infection may take an even bigger toll on people and wildlife, federal health officials said yesterday.
The virus has already been detected this summer in mosquitoes, birds, horses or other animals in at least 32 states, including Virginia, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reported. At this time last year, about 20 states had detected the virus.
"What is a little concerning is that we have many more states that are reporting West Nile virus this year, compared to last year," said CDC Director Julie L. Gerberding. At least four human cases have been confirmed -- three in Texas and one in South Carolina. A suspected fifth human case is being investigated. No deaths have been reported this year.
Gerberding urged people to protect themselves against mosquito bites, which spread the virus from birds to people. People should wear long sleeves and pants when outside, use insect repellant containing DEET and empty all standing water where mosquitoes can breed, she said.
"The news indicates that people need to be prepared and to protect themselves," Gerberding said during a telephone briefing with reporters.
The West Nile virus had never been found outside Africa until 1999, when it was detected for the first time in the New York area. How it arrived remains unknown.
The virus spread to 44 states last year, when more than 4,000 cases of human West Nile infection were reported, including 284 deaths. Health experts believe the virus is now permanently established in this country.
Most people who become infected never get sick. About 20 percent develop mild symptoms such as a fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Most people recover, but about one out of every 150 becomes severely ill.
In addition to its impact on humans, the virus has taken a heavy toll on wildlife, particularly birds, in many areas.
Last year, the number of cases began to increase quickly at the end of July and beginning of August, so health officials are bracing for the numbers to begin to rise again soon, Gerberding said.
"We have to stay tuned to really appreciate what the full scope and magnitude of the outbreaks will be this year," she said.
"It is too soon to predict the shape of the epidemic, but the signs all indicate that there is reason to anticipate a problem."
The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first test that doctors can use to diagnose West Nile infection, which is expected to increase the number of confirmed cases this summer.
Because the virus can be spread through transfusions, blood banks have begun screening donations for the virus, turning away donors who have had symptoms of the infection and destroying blood when they learn that a donor developed West Nile after giving blood.
Researchers are trying to develop treatments and find vaccines, but neither are available yet.
The CDC is also monitoring for two other mosquito-borne viruses that can cause similar diseases -- St. Louis encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis, Gerberding said.
Mexico declared a state of emergency because of the West Nile virus on Monday, saying it posed a severe risk to horses and people, according to news reports.
© 2003 The Washington Post Company
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