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The West
Nile Virus (WNV), is already more widespread in the
US than it was last year and experts from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) predict that it will eventually spread throughout
the entire US.
"We know that the virus has spread and will
continue to spread, " Dr. Lyle Petersen with the CDC told Reuters
Health. "For all we can tell, nothing
is going to stop it from spreading throughout the entire US,"
he added.
According to the CDC:
- In 1999 the virus
was detected in 4 states -- Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and New
York.
- In 2000, the virus
was reportedly found in 12 states -- Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, and the District
of Columbia.
Although in most cases, the virus
causes mild flu-like symptoms, in rare instances, infection with
the West Nile virus, which is transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes,
develops into an inflammation of the brain, called encephalitis, which can
be fatal.
"There may be more potential for humans to
become infected in future years than currently," said Dr. Petersen.
He advises people take the following precautions during the summer months,
in order to minimize risks:
- Wearing mosquito repellent
- Wearing long
sleeve shirts and pants
- Avoiding being outside at times around
dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Eliminate
mosquito breeding grounds by keeping gutters clear and draining any
sources of water in yards
Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report, November 24, 2000; 49:1044-1047
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