West Nile Virus Activity In The United States, Human Cases Reported In 11 States

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Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Public Health;  Veterinary
Article Date: 14 Jul 2007 - 7:00 PDT

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Human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in 11 states, while avian, animal or mosquito infections have been reported in 23 states.

2007 - Human Cases of West Nile Virus Activity in USA (CDC July 10, 2007)

Arkansas
Encephalitis/meningitis - 1
Fever - 0
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 1
Fatalities - 0

California
Encephalitis/meningitis - 0
Fever - 3
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 3
Fatalities - 0

Colorado
Encephalitis/meningitis - 0
Fever - 2
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 2
Fatalities - 0

Illinois
Encephalitis/meningitis - 1
Fever - 0
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 1
Fatalities - 0

Iowa
Encephalitis/meningitis - 0
Fever - 1
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 1
Fatalities - 0

Mississippi
Encephalitis/meningitis - 3
Fever - 3
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 6
Fatalities - 1

Nebraska
Encephalitis/meningitis - 0
Fever - 2
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 2
Fatalities - 0

North Dakota
Encephalitis/meningitis - 0
Fever - 1
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 1
Fatalities - 0

South Dakota
Encephalitis/meningitis - 0
Fever - 7
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 7
Fatalities - 0

Texas
Encephalitis/meningitis - 0
Fever - 1
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 1
Fatalities - 0

Wyoming
Encephalitis/meningitis - 0
Fever - 1
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 1
Fatalities - 0

Total
Encephalitis/meningitis - 5
Fever - 21
Other clinical/unspecified - 0
Total - 26
Fatalities - 1

Reports of avian, animal or mosquito West Nile Virus infection to CDC ArboNET (up to July 10, 2007)

Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, & Virginia.

What is the West Nile Virus (WNV)?

It is a virus of the Flaviviridae family - part of a Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of viruses. WNV exists in temperate and tropical regions. The virus principally infects birds, can also infect squirrels, bats, dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and humans. The human or animal becomes infected after being bitten by a mosquito.

It is a potentially serious illness. It has become established as a seasonal epidemic in North America, peaking during the summer and lasting well into the fall.

What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus?

Many people have no symptoms at all. Some may experience a mild illness with fever, headaches and body aches. Patients have been known to develop a mild rash or swollen lymph glands. The elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to complications that affect brain tissue.

In severe cases WNV infection can be fatal. A complication might be Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis symptoms include severe headache, stiff neck, high temperature, confusion, coma and muscle weakness.

-- CDC West Nile Virus Web Page

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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