West Nile strikes dog, wolf, squirrels

United Press International ^

[RCW2001]

West Nile strikes dog, wolf, squirrels

From the National Desk
Published 9/18/2002 1:38 PM

Researchers at the University of Illinois said Wednesday they have confirmed the first known cases of West Nile virus in a dog but they doubt it means greater likelihood of infection from the mosquito-borne disease.

The researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana-Champaign said they found the disease in an 8-year-old Irish setter-golden retriever mix from the Bloomington-Normal area. West Nile also was confirmed in a 3-month-old wolf at the Peoria Zoo and three gray squirrels -- two in Chicago and one in Champaign.

John Andrews, director of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory, told the Chicago Tribune the dog showed neurological symptoms consistent with a number of diseases, including rabies, distemper and other types of encephalitis, but when they gave the dog the test for West Nile, it came up positive.

The infected squirrels were reported biting their paws and sounded like they were crying out in pain.

West Nile mainly is a disease of birds but also has been confirmed in horses and people.

The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed at least 80 human deaths this year from the disease with Illinois leading the nation with 21 fatalities.

The disease also has been reported in a Rocky Mountain goat, chipmunks, a rabbit, a skunk and stray cats, according to the Agriculture Department.

Health officials have reported two more West Nile fatalities in the Cincinnati area: a 43-year-old Bellevue, Ky., man who died Sept. 7 and Robert H. Bell, 79, a traveling country-western guitarist, who died Aug. 12. There have been eight deaths in Ohio and three in Kentucky. Canada has reported one death.

"I'm praying for an early, killing frost," Tim Ingram, Hamilton County health commissioner, told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We're concerned that, even though the message has been out there, that there are still people who don't understand they can significantly reduce their risk by eliminating standing water and protecting themselves."

Mississippi also reported two more West Nile deaths, bringing to six the total number of cases in that state. Hinds County Supervisor Doug Anderson said the county has spent an extra $100,000 on mosquito abatement.

"It's a problem that you really can't eradicate," Anderson told the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger.

[PoisedWoman]

The infected squirrels were reported biting their paws and sounded like they were crying out in pain.

Poor little guys! We have a friendly squirrel in tree outside who loves to goof on the cat. They're great buddies. Now it seems that even cats can get West Nile. And dogs. Good heavens! Someone's got to come up with a vaccine for humans and domestic animals.

[martin_fierro]

Dog exhibiting SEVERE West Nile symptoms <|:)~

[genefromjersey]

Oh my ! For a moment, I thought the article said three gay squirrels !

Phew ! Sigh of relief !!

Can you imagine hordes of Gay Squirrels marching in the streets, demanding to be a part of the St. Patrick's Day Parade,demanding special treatment ?

Oh.

That happens already , doesn't it ???

[VadeRetro]

Bravo!!

[martin_fierro]

Some contend that a Cinquain's the thing,
or a Haiku, with its Yan and Ying;
I pondered a Sonnet,
then said, "Fie upon it!"

And instead send this Limerick

[sphinx]

Since West Nile is well on the way to becoming established as an endemic disease in the U.S., I suppose we all might as well get used to the idea that, sooner or later, we're likely to get it. (Unless someone comes up with a vaccine pretty fast.)

Does anyone know if one gets lifetime immunity after recovering from it? Don't know if that's an Iron Law of viral illnesses or not, but it sure would be nice if West Nile were a one-shot deal.

[CGASMIA68]

May give some credence to the "Bio" theory.......
dogs and rodents usually are not affected by the same virals as us humanoids,are they?

[CJ Wolf]

How about DDT?

[Pushi]

Does anyone know any of the other symptoms--in cats perhaps? I have four young cats abandoned by their mother. I trapped them, had them spayed and neutered and vaccinated for rabies, and released them. Some three or four weeks later, they have come down with what the vet said is a virus. They have really been sick--high fever and legs and feet so painful that they can't walk on them. They cry out when they try to walk. They also chew at them like they are trying to get out tangles, but I don't think there are tangles. Also, their mouths were very sore--so sore they could not lap water. Two are over it after about two weeks, one is almost over it, and another came down with it day before yesterday. He stayed in his bed for about 20 hours without getting up for anything. When they are at their worst, they can barely stand up. I looked in the Vet. Merck Manual. It sounds a lot like FCV, but I'm not sure.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Someone's got to come up with a vaccine for humans and domestic animals.

A vaccine for horses was developed last summer, I wonder if it could be used on other animals...

I also hope they'll have a vaccine for humans soon!

[j.havenfarm]

I heard that one does become immune if exposed once. Also, that the vast, and I mean VAST majority of people infected either develop no symptoms, or recover after mild flu-like symptoms. I also heard a report that Interferon may help with the encephalitis, but I've heard no follow up on that.

[Colorado Doug]

We clearly need more wetlands. If we help these little skeeters enough, along with West Nile, we might even get to see yellow fever and malaria again. All endangered diseases that need our protection.

[Aracelis]

LOL, here we go again!

[texasbluebell]

Does anyone know if one gets lifetime immunity after recovering from it? Don't know if that's an Iron Law of viral illnesses or not, but it sure would be nice if West Nile were a one-shot deal.

The CDC website says it's a lifetime immunity after recovery, at least that's what they're saying now.