West Nile Virus Update — September 2008

Here's a look at recent West Nile virus activity throughout the U.S. These stories have been compiled from a variety of news sources.

GEORGIA

Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus have been found in Clayton County, health officials announced today.

The Clayton County Board of Health declined to identify where the sample was collected, other then saying it was found in the central part of the county.

County workers are spraying the area but advise residents to take precautions.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

NEW YORK

A third possible death from West Nile virus is under investigation, Nassau County health officials said yesterday, as they announced aerial spraying for mosquitoes would begin early this evening.

Nassau Health Commissioner Dr. Maria Torroella Carney said the department sent the state laboratory a blood sample last week from a 90-year-old Mineola man who died after having "clinical symptoms" of the virus. If confirmed, his death would mark the highest number of human deaths in the county since they started tracking the virus in 1999, when West Nile first appeared in New York - and the country.

So far this year, including the three deaths, Nassau health officials said they believe there have been 11 cases of West Nile in the county: six confirmed, four probable cases and the one under investigation.

Suffolk County is awaiting lab confirmation of three suspected cases, health department spokeswoman Wendy Ladd said.

Source: Newsday

CALIFORNIA

A 20-year-old Mira Mesa man is the latest San Diego County resident to be diagnosed with West Nile virus, county health officials said today.

The man was hospitalized with meningitis, but has been released.

County officials also said 19 more dead birds and two chickens have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne illness.

So far this year, 12 county residents have been diagnosed with West Nile virus; one of those 12 did not get the disease locally.

Soure: SignOnSanDiego.com

OHIO

Two people are recovering from probable cases of West Nile Virus (WNV), the Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports.

The CDPH announced Tuesday evening that the two individuals recovering are residents of St. Clair Superior and Forest Hills neighborhoods.

The city received reports of 12 positive mosquito pools during the 2008 mosquito season, and four reports of WNV cases in Cleveland during 2007.

Source: Fox8newscleveland