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West Nile virus cases likely will rise this monthSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)--Cases of West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne seasonal epidemic that turns deadly each summer, are expected to soar soon, a pesticide education coordinator at South Dakota State University says. "I think we are going to be seeing a rapid increase in incidents over the next few weeks," Jim Wilson said. "We also are suggesting that if the community has a function planned, whether it be a rodeo or something similar, that they use a residual treatment" to help protect the public. "We don't know how it is going to play out ultimately this year," said Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist in South Dakota, which led the nation in 2003 in the number of cases and deaths per capita. Fourteen people died. "We do know West Nile is here and it's making people sick." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees the disease, which is transmitted though the bite of infected mosquitoes, flares up in the summer. "West Nile virus is probably the most important mosquito-borne illness in the United States and is the most common," said Marc Fisher, a medical epidemiologist at the CDC. The CDC says about 24,000 people have been infected and 962 people have died in the United States since West Nile virus first arrived here in 1999. Last year, there were 4,269 human cases nationwide. So far this year, 26 human cases of West Nile virus and one death have been reported to the CDC throughout the U.S. Unofficially, state health departments show more than 30 human infections nationwide. In North Dakota, West Nile virus cases swelled from two confirmed human infections a week ago to nine as of July 13. "It is significant to have that number of cases right now," said Michelle Feist, North Dakota's West Nile virus surveillance coordinator. "But then again our mosquito counts are high, so that may definitely have something to do with the number of cases that we're seeing." Almost all West Nile virus cases are reported in July, August and September, according to Kightlinger. South Dakota also has nine human infections this season. West Nile virus peaked in 2003, when nearly 10,000 people were infected nationally. Since then, numbers have fallen around the U.S., but the threat is still present. In 2006, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska had a combined 514 human cases of West Nile virus. Those three states are in the top 10 for highest-incidence states. With 996 human cases reported and 21 deaths, Idaho had the most infections last year. In 2006, 137 people were infected with the West Nile virus in North Dakota. South Dakota had 113 human cases last year. Three resulted in death. Nebraska had 264 total cases of West Nile virus in 2006. Two people died as a result of the illness. The state has eight human infections reported so far this year. The CDC's Fisher said, "We recommend that on an individual level, people be aware of the disease and take precautions using mosquito repellant, wearing long-sleeves and long pants when they're out, particularly at dusk and dawn." People should modify their lifestyles enough to lower the risk of infection, Kightlinger said. "During the day you might not see as many (mosquitoes) as you would, but they'll hide in tall grass or shrubbery," Feist said. "We definitely want to encourage people to still enjoy their time outside, but just take the necessary precautions." Many safety measures can be as simple as not leaving any water out for more than a couple of days, said Annette Bredthauer, Nebraska's public health veterinarian. "People should make sure they aren't raising mosquitoes in their own yards or around their houses," she said. "Check for clogged gutters. It's a good place for water to stand and people won't even realize that they have it up there." Bredthauer said that animals, particularly horses and cattle, are at great risk of being infected as well. "Our number one domestic animal that has problems with West Nile virus is horses," she said. Many horses can develop an immunity to the virus, but it takes time to build up and is often hard to detect. "If people are worried about West Nile in their horses, they should get them vaccinated as quickly as possible," Bredthauer said. Vaccinations should have taken place around April to give the horse time to build up immunity. The more severe forms of West Nile virus in humans are encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining. More than 60 percent of the human cases in 2006 were the common form--a mild illness causing fever, headache and body aches. Most infected people don't feel symptoms. Date: 8/9/07
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