Posted on 09/07/2002 8:14:30 AM PDT by bonesmccoy
Calif. Woman Positive for West Nile Fri Sep 6, 7:09 PM ET By ANDREW BRIDGES, AP Science Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A California woman has tested positive for the West Nile virus ( news - web sites) in what could be the first human case contracted in the western United States, health officials said Friday in announcing preliminary test results.
AP Photo
Conclusive results won't be known for another week. However, Los Angeles County health officials were calling it a "probable case of locally acquired West Nile virus infection." The case suggests that the virus may have completed its journey across the continent.
The woman, who was not identified, became sick in August from meningitis, which is associated with the virus. She has recovered.
She had not traveled outside the region, meaning the possible infection occurred locally, said Maria Iacobo, a spokeswoman for the county Department of Health Services.
The diagnosis surprised health officials because ongoing monitoring of birds and mosquitoes had shown no trace of the virus in California.
"The virus' arrival in California is anticipated, but unexpected at this time since it is not present in any contiguous states," said Dr. Thomas Garthwaite, director and chief medical officer of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.
The mosquito-borne virus appeared in the United States in 1999 in New York. So far though, no local cases have been confirmed west of the Rocky Mountains. Four confirmed cases in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho contracted the virus in states where the virus was already present.
Nationwide this year, there have been 854 confirmed human cases of the virus, including 43 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( news - web sites).
Human cases have been confirmed this year in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
West Nile is spread by infected mosquitos, which pass the virus to birds, horses or humans. Most people develop a mild flu-like illness, though the elderly and people with weak immune systems can get a potentially fatal brain inflammation.
The CDC confirmed this week that four people became sick from organ transplants. Health officials are investigating whether the organ donor and another woman contracted West Nile virus through blood donations.
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I'll be glad to bump this thread. Thank you. I live in northern Texas and have not noticed dead birds lying around, but if I do find any, I'll certainly be careful now to report the to local health agencies. And I'll pass the word to friends and relatives.
Also, this has been a strange summer. Flies and mosquitoes are way down. It's been years since I've seen a frog hopping around, and there's been less birds this year (but the birds aren't dying all around, there's just fewer of them for some unknown reason).
<Maybe just the weaker and elderly birds are dying just like with humans. The trauma to the birds probably happens when they fall off a branch when they die.
What kind of trauma, exactly? Anything consistent with having been caught and let loose again?
Also, the two counties on either side of me have reported birds dead of WNV. Come on winter!!!
Doubtful. The "counts per observer" would likely be higher in 1941 as a result (fewer, more dedicated observers, more opportuities each). Remember also that count was taken immediately after Pearl Harbor (the count is currently taken from December 14 to January 5).
I don't know about you, but it starts to give me the "willys" (and not the "slick" one either)!
If anyone around here wants to know why we need to have more guys like Hackworth around to "convey a sense of urgency", just look at the dead from West Nile and think if Saddam releases smallpox now.
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