West Nile Virus Kills 15 in U.S.

The CDC today reported that so far this year, West Nile
virus has sickened 444 people in the U.S., including 15 people who died of West
Nile virus illness.

Those figures, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report, include West Nile cases reported to the CDC as of Aug. 14.

Five of the West Nile virus deaths occurred in California. South Dakota
reported two deaths from West Nile virus. Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado,
Illinois, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Wyoming each reported one
West Nile death.

Overall, 27 states have reported human cases of West Nile virus as of
August. Western states led the list. California reported 86 cases -- more than
any other state. Other states with high numbers of West Nile cases included
Colorado (72 cases), South Dakota (62 cases), North Dakota (52 cases), and
Wyoming (34 cases).

Those illnesses began between March 25 and Aug. 5, according to the CDC.

Last year, the CDC had reports of 388 people in the U.S. who were sickened
by West Nile virus by the middle of August, including 13 people who died of
West Nile virus illness.

Though this year's numbers are higher than those from the same time last
year, it's too soon to know whether the figures reflect a true rise in West
Nile virus cases, since state reports may not be complete, CDC spokeswoman
Christine Pearson tells WebMD.

About West Nile Virus Illness

West Nile virus typically flares up in the summer and continues into the
fall. That's prime time for mosquitoes, which can transmit West Nile virus.

West Nile virus can also spread through blood transfusions, organ
transplants, breastfeeding, and from mother to baby during pregnancy -- but
those cases have been rare, according to the CDC.

Most people infected with West Nile virus don't get sick.

The CDC estimates that about one in five people who get infected with West
Nile virus develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body ache, nausea,
vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or skin rash on the chest,
stomach, and back. Symptoms may last for a few days to a several weeks.

About one in 150 people infected with West Nile virus develop severe
illness. Their symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness,
stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision
loss, numbness, and paralysis. Those symptoms may last for several weeks, and
neurological effects may be permanent, according to the CDC.

Preventing West Nile Virus

Here are the CDC's tips to prevent West Nile virus infection:

• When outdoors, use insect repellent that has an active ingredient
  registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).


• Since many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, be sure to use
  insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at those times -- or consider
  staying inside.


• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep
  mosquitoes out.


• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower
  pots, buckets, and barrels.


• Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths
  weekly.


• Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out.


• Keep kids' wading pools empty and on their sides when not in use.

By Miranda Hitti
Reviewed by Louise Chang
B)2005-2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved