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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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Press Release
For Immediate Release
June 20, 2005 |
Contact: CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286 |
Nation's First Human Case of West Nile in 2005
Reported to CDC
The first human West Nile virus (WNV) illness of 2005 has been reported to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by the Kansas Department
of Health and Environment. WNV is transmitted seasonally by infected
mosquitoes. Since 1999, when WNV was first identified in the United States,
WNV has caused nearly 17,000 cases of human illness, including more than 650
deaths.
While Kansas is the first state to report human WNV activity, infection in
birds, mosquitoes or horses has already been reported from fourteen states
this year.
"This season’s first human case of West Nile virus reminds us of the
importance of taking precautions to avoid becoming ill," said Dr. Lyle
Petersen, director of CDC’s Division of Vector- borne Infectious Diseases. "It’s
impossible to predict what this year’s season will hold. So everyone who
spends time outdoors should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito
bites and West Nile virus."
Simple measures can help prevent infection: avoid mosquito bites by using
insect repellents and protect your home by emptying standing water and
installing screens. People can also help their communities by supporting
community-based mosquito control programs. In many places, people can report
dead birds to local health authorities to help with disease monitoring
activities.
CDC recently expanded the list of active ingredients it recommends for
protection against mosquito bites. In addition to DEET and permethrin,
repellents containing picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus have recently
been found to provide reliable and long-lasting protection from mosquito
bites.
As of 2005, WNV was reported in all states except Hawaii and Alaska.
(Washington state has reported only animal activity one year, in 2002.) The
"hot spots," that is, places with high numbers of human cases, of WNV
activity have changed each year, but virus activity has generally continued
locally each year after cases are reported. In 2004, 2,535 total human cases
and 98 deaths were reported to CDC, with the largest number of cases in
Western states. Cases reported to CDC were highest in 2003, with 9,862 human
illnesses and 264 deaths.
Mosquitoes become infected with WNV when they feed on infected birds, and
the virus may be transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a human. WNV
transmission through transplanted organs, transfused blood, from mother to
fetus and likely transmission to infants through breast milk were also
identified in 2002. Routine screening of blood donations for WNV since 2003
has greatly reduced the risk of WNV infection through transfused blood.
About two of every 10 people infected by a mosquito develop milder WNV
symptoms such as fever, aches, nausea and vomiting. About 1 in 150 people
infected with WNV develop more serious symptoms and West Nile virus can be
fatal. Although people of any age can become severely ill, the risk is
highest for persons age 50 and over or recipients of solid organ transplants.
More information about WNV can be found at
www.cdc.gov/westnile.
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