West Nile warning

It is that time of year when you go outside and you are attaceked by hundreds of mosquitos. Where there are mosquitos there is the danger of West Nile.

Here is some important information:

The following is from the Center For Disease Control

West Nile virus (WNV) has emerged in recent years in temperate regions of Europe and North America, presenting a threat to public and animal health. The most serious manifestation of WNV infection is fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans and horses, as well as mortality in certain domestic and wild birds. WNV has also been a significant cause of human illness in the United States in 2002 and 2003.

West Nile virus was first isolated from a febrile adult woman in the West Nile District of Uganda in 1937. The ecology was characterized in Egypt in the 1950s. The virus became recognized as a cause of severe human meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain) in elderly patients during an outbreak in Israel in 1957. Equine disease was first noted in Egypt and France in the early 1960s. WNV first appeared in North America in 1999, with encephalitis reported in humans and horses.The subsequent spread in the United States is an important milestone in the evolving history of this virus.

West Nile virus has been described in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, west and central Asia, Oceania (subtype Kunjin), and most recently, North America.

Outbreaks of WNV encephalitis in humans have occurred in Algeria in 1994, Romania in 1996-1997, the Czech Republic in 1997, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998, Russia in 1999, the United States in 1999-2003, and Israel in 2000. Epizootics of disease in horses occurred in Morocco in 1996, Italy in 1998, the United States in 1999-2001, and France in 2000, and in birds in Israel in 1997-2001 and in the United States in 1999-2002.

In the U.S. since 1999, WNV human, bird, veterinary or mosquito activity have been reported from all states except Hawaii, Alaska, and Oregon.

Human Case and Virus Distribution Information
Current human case and epizootic distribution maps (on Statistics, Surveillance, and Control page)
Case human counts for 2003

Human case information and maps from 2002
From 1999 through 2001, there were 149 cases of West Nile virus human illness in the United States reported to CDC and confirmed, including 18 deaths.

2008 Human disease cases reported to CDC

That is the background information, here is the latest West Nile news:

Health Dept. issues West Nile warning

Gallup Independent - 1 hour ago By Karen Francis SANTA FE -

The New Mexico Department of Health issued a recommendation for people to protect themselves against mosquito bites and exposure to rodents in the outdoors this summer.

West Nile mosquitos found in Gem County

KBCI CBS 2

Heavy storms are bringing out the mosquitoes

Detroit Free Press

Winnebago County Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

WIFR, IL - 6 hours ago

SPRINGFIELD – Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, today announced the first birds testing positive for West Nile virus this year were found ...

West Nile may be here to stay Monitor, TX - 17 hours ago

The number of people who get West Nile fluctuates from year to year and may seem to be decreasing, but don't look for the virus to ever disappear entirely. ...