Published Date: 2012-09-30 14:30:09
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus - USA (17)
Archive Number: 20120930.1316227

WEST NILE VIRUS - USA (17)
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Date: 26 Sep 2012
Source: Chicago Tribune [edited]
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-health-westnilebre88p1i7-20120926,0,522004.story


More than 400 new U.S. cases of West Nile virus [infection] emerged in the last week in an outbreak that remains the 2nd worst on record but has begun to show signs of slowing. So far this year [2012], 3545 cases have been reported to federal health officials as of 25 Sep [2012], up from 3142 reported the week before, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its weekly update of outbreak data.

About 38 per cent of all cases have been reported in Texas. Other states with large numbers of cases include Mississippi, Michigan, South Dakota, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and California.

A total of 147 people have died from the disease, compared with 134 reported one week ago. Just over half of the cases reported to the CDC this year [2012] have been of the severe neuroinvasive form of the disease, which can lead to meningitis and encephalitis. The milder form of the disease causes flu-like symptoms and is rarely lethal.

Experts believe the disease originated in Africa and was 1st detected in New York City in 1999. Outbreaks tend to be unpredictable. Hot temperatures, rainfall amounts and ecological factors such as bird and mosquito populations have to align just right to trigger an outbreak such as the one this year [2012].

The CDC said the number of cases this year [2012] is the highest reported to federal health officials through the last week in September since 2003, the year with the most cases.

[Byline: Paul Thomasch]

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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail from HealthMap Alerts
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[The total number of cases of human West Nile virus (WNV) infection has increased from 2636 with 118 deaths as of 11 Sep 2012 to 3525 as of 25 Sep [2012], up from 3142 reported the week before. People residing in the areas where cases have occurred are well advised to take measures to avoid mosquito bites, and owners of equine animals should have their animals vaccinated. One hopes that the incidence of WNV is indeed beginning to decline.

A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map showing the locations of the states mentioned in this report can be accessed at http://healthmap.org/r/1hiS. - Mod.TY]

See Also

West Nile virus - USA (16) 20120913.1293167
West Nile virus - USA (15) 20120910.1289182
West Nile virus - USA (14): Mexico border 20120908.1285815
West Nile virus - USA (13): (national) 20120906.1283882
West Nile virus - USA (12): (TX, OK) 20120905.1282592
West Nile virus - USA (12): (TX, OK) 20120905.1282592
West Nile virus - USA (09): human, comment 20120825.1263077
West Nile virus - USA (08) 20120824.1262050
West Nile virus - USA (07): (TX) human 20120824.1261297
West Nile virus - USA (04): national 20120816.1246423
West Nile virus - USA (03): (TX,LA) human 20120814.1242832
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