Posted on 08/03/2002 2:37:33 AM PDT by Keith in Iowa
State health leaders said Friday that they have detected the virus in four more counties: Dickinson, Franklin, Kossuth and Dubuque. That brings the total to 15, with more expected soon.
The mosquito-borne virus can cause fatal brain swelling in rare cases. It originated in Africa and entered the United States at New York City in 1999. It first appeared in eastern Iowa last fall, and has been spreading this summer.
Researchers track the virus through discoveries of dead blue jays and crows, which are susceptible to the virus. They determined Friday morning that birds found in the four counties had succumbed to the disease.
The virus has sickened about 185 Americans and killed at least 22. Most infected people do not get sick, but elderly people and others in frail health are more likely to become ill.
No Iowans have been reported ill, and health officials here don't expect to see the same level of infection as in Louisiana, where an outbreak has occurred. That's because the climate here is not nearly as hospitable to mosquitoes.
Officials ask people to call their county health departments if they find dead blue jays or crows in counties where the virus has not been confirmed.
In the counties where it has been confirmed, residents are advised to use plastic gloves or plastic bags to pick up the birds and carry them to a trash can.
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