CDC: West Nile virus has infected 82 Americans and killed 2 so far this year

By David Liu (davidl@foodconsumer.org)

As of Aug 18, 2009, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of 82 cases of West Nile infections from 20 states.

The infected states include Arizona (7), Arkansas (1), California (10), Colorado (9), Idaho (1), Iowa (1), Kansas (2), Louisiana (3), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (15), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (1), Nevada (10), New York (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (1), Texas (11), and Wyoming (2).

Of 82 people who were infected with West Nile virus, two died, one in Texas and two in Mississippi.

West Nile is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has been infected by feeding on an infected bird. Avoiding mosquito bites is what one needs to do to prevent West Nile virus. 

Eighty percent of people who are infected do not show any symptoms. But about 20 percent experience symptoms including fever, headache and body aches. In serious cases, the virus results in encephalitis and meningitis and even death.   

People who are older than 50 years of age and those whose immune systems are compromised are at the highest risk of severe implications by the West Nile virus.   

To avoid mosquitoes, the following may be helpful:   

Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. Use prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are present.   

When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.   

Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.   

Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.