West Nile Virus Update — August 2005

Editor's note: West Nile virus continues to be a hot topic throughout the country. Nationally, 109 human cases of West Nile virus and three deaths have been reported to the CDC so far this year. Western states have reported the highest numbers and officials speculate that the virus may be migrating in that direction, explaining why numbers have stayed low in the East. Here's a look at recent activity throughout the U.S. from the CDC and various news sources. 

WNV ACTIVITY MAP. CLICK HERE to view a map of West Nile virus activity in the United States reported to CDC as of August 9, 2005

WEST. In California, a 34-year-old woman is Santa Clara County's first confirmed human case of West Nile virus, county health officals announced.

The woman became ill in mid-July after a visit to the Sacramento area, where officals said she probably was bitten by an infected mosquito. Her symptoms included fever, headache and body aches. She was not hospitalized and has resumed daily activities.

Also on Tuesday, Butte County officials announced the death of an elderly man from complications stemming from the virus. He was the fifth death statewide from West Nile this season, and the first in that county that includes Chico.

And San Francisco health officials confirmed Monday night that a middle-aged resident of that city had been hospitalized with West Nile virus and was now recovering at home. It is unknown whether the man contracted the virus in the city, said spokeswoman Eileen Shields.

Source: The Daily Review

EAST COAST. Health officials report that the West Nile virus has had a delayed start this year on the East Coast due to heavy rainfall and an extended cold season.

The slow start "is certainly good news," said Kimberly Mitchell, an entomologist at Center for Veterinary Public Health at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "Normally by this time we would have had several positive mosquito pools" trapped.

"But it's too early to tell how the season will end up," said David Gaines, the state public health entomologist at the Virginia Department of Health.

Source: Washington Post

ILLINOIS. A 53-year-old Peoria County woman has been diagnosed with West Nile virus, the first human case reported downstate this season.
The local woman is suffering from West Nile fever, according to the Peoria City/County Health Department. She first experienced symptoms in late July but did not require hospitalization, said health department spokesman Hla Phone.

Last year, no human cases were reported in Peoria County, but 60 cases and four deaths occurred in Illinois.

Source: Journal Star News

MONTANA. A Yellowstone County woman has been diagnosed with the first human case of West Nile virus in Montana this year, but she was not sick enough to require hospitalization.

The Yellowstone City-County Health Department confirmed the case on Tuesday.

“It's not something to panic about,” said Dr. Doug Moore, chief medical officer for the health department. “This is not unexpected. West Nile virus is here. It's going to remain with us.”

 The woman is in her mid-30s. To protect her privacy, her name and hometown were not released.

She apparently went to a Billings same-day care clinic because she felt ill, and medical personnel tested her for West Nile.

Source: Billings Gazette