- Hello Jeff - When I speculated that West Nile Virus
was probably in South and Central America as far back as (few cases) in
2000 and more in 2001 etc, there were some "EXPERTS" who disputed
this (now known as) fact.
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- The Harvard experts now conclude, as mentioned in this
article, that WNV is in Central and South America.
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- If we look at last year's epidemiology data we have to
conclude that WNV spread as rapidly as it did on westward path due to returning
migratory birds from Latin America. Zigzag effect, spread the virus between
pathways. (zigzag effect is the infecting of local bird populations and
insect populations which serve to circulate the virus between flyways.
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- As I mentioned months ago on your program, this year,
2003 should be a very nasty virulent West Nile LIKE season.
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- Also, of concern is devestation of the environment.
Again, there are many who disagree with me about the environmental condition.
I believe that the recent emergence of novel and mutated pathogens as
well as the many animal die offs proves a case that the planet's environment
is being ravaged beyond repair.
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- Patricia
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- From the Cornell Westnile virus list:
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- West Nile Virus Could Be 'Bigger Than SARS' in 2003
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- Global Warming Seen as Major Contributing Factor That
Can Be Addressed; 2002 Illness, Death Toll in North America Far Exceeded
Global Impact of SARS in 2003.
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- 5-14-03
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- BOSTON -- West Nile Virus, which sickened 4,156 people
and resulted in 284 deaths in North America last year, could end up in
2003 having a considerably bigger human and non-human impact than that
seen to date with SARS, according to two Harvard experts. The pair indicated
that the Plains, western states and Alaska may be particularly susceptible
to 2002-like West Nile Virus conditions, which already are at alarming
levels in Central and Latin America.
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- Paul Epstein, MD, associate director of the Harvard Medical
School Center for Health and the Global Environment, and Douglas Causey,
PhD, senior biologist at the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology,
warned that climate-change contributors such as excessive burning of fossil
fuels and deforestation will have to change in order to bring under control
the recent surge in 30 major infectious diseases, including West Nile Virus.
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- Dr. Epstein said: "The attention focused in recent
weeks on SARS is extraordinary and, it can be argued, excessive. This
is an illness that - no matter how deadly - has sickened only a few thousand
around the globe and killed a few hundred. This stands in sharp contrast
to West Nile Virus, which resulted in 4,156 human illnesses and 284 deaths
in North America alone last year."
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- He added: "It is entirely reasonable to expect
that the North American impact of West Nile virus will be as significant
in 2003 as it was in 2002 ... As cold and cruel as the winter has been
in the U.S. and, in particular, the Northeast, we are concerned that present
and persistent drought projected in the Plains states, the West and Alaska
could set the stage for amplification and spread of West Nile, as it did
in 2002. That doesn't mean that we won't have a bad West Nile Virus season
in the East and South in the U.S. Where West Nile Virus already is established
among wildlife, heavy rains may increase the 'bridge vectors' that carry
the virus to humans and horses. But we are particularly concerned about
seeing what is essentially a 'replay' of the circumstances in certain parts
of the country that led to so many illnesses and deaths in 2003."
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- The experts cautioned against evaluating the danger posed
by West Nile Virus and other emerging infectious diseases in strictly human
terms.
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- Dr. Causey said: "The problem with looking at the
disease picture from a strictly human standpoint is that we and animals
are all in this together. Infectious diseases like West Nile that can
jump species can have devastating effects in animals and in humans. Of
great concern is the fact that West Nile Virus has spread to 230 species
of animals, including 138 species of birds! We are particularly concerned
about what we are seeing with birds. Last year, avian deaths increased
five-fold over 2001 ... West Nile Virus has spread to the Caribbean in
2003, and it now is a leading suspect in the disturbing 10-fold drop in
several bird species in Costa Rica over the past year. Many of these are
migratory songbirds, the loss of which will be noted across the United
States."
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- Causey added: "The domination of urban landscapes
by 'generalist' birds, such as crows, starlings and Canada Geese, may contribute
to the spread of West Nile, along with the numerous mosquito breeding sites,
such as old tires and stagnant waterways. The disease-related problem
faced by birds does not begin and end with birds. Declines in raptors
- condors, owls, hawks, eagles, kestrels and marlins - could have dramatic
consequences for human health. These birds of prey are our guardians as
they prey upon wayward rodents and keep their numbers in check. When rodent
populations explode - when floods follow droughts, forests are clear-cut,
or diseases attack predators - their legions can become prolific transporters
of pests and pathogens."
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- THE GLOBAL WARMING ISSUE Epstein and Causey called for
a number of steps, including better disease surveillance and response and
stepped-up coordination among disease, climate and other experts. They
also pointed out that an effective fight against West Nile Virus and other
emerging infectious diseases will require the undertaking of efforts to
curb global warming.
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- Dr. Epstein asked: "Measures to nourish Earth's
natural systems are essential, for biological diversity serves as a buffer
against disease emergence and spread. For prevention, we need to change
directions on our treatment of the environment. Thus, we must first slow
down. That means cutting far fewer trees and burning much less of the coal,
oil and natural gas that release globe-warming gases. Global warming is
a huge problem, but the good news is that - through a large investment
in renewable energy and greater efficiency, ecological restoration and
infrastructure retrofits, and coherent transport systems - we can make
the energy transition the engine of growth for the 21st Century, and provide
the best insurance policy for developing a cleaner, healthier and more
equitable future."
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- Dr. Causey noted: "We clear land extensively and
penetrate fragmented forests at our peril. Now, global warming is enabling
microbes to migrate pole-ward and up mountains, and the accompanying extreme
floods and droughts create conditions conducive to "clusters"
of outbreaks. Pathogens that hitch rides with animal vectors - like mosquitoes,
ticks and rodents (little ones that respond rapidly to environmental change
and thrive on adversity) - form the majority of diseases newly emerging
in humans ... Prevention will mean nourishing the biological diversity
that protects humans and animals against runaway pathogen spread - cutting
far fewer trees, restoring lost wetlands, diversifying farming, and burning
much less coal, oil and natural gas that release globe-warming gases."
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- WEST NILE VIRUS BACKGROUND In 2002 West Nile Virus made
a furious dash across the nation during what was a hot, dry summer. Spreading
to 44 states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces, neurological
cases of the virus numbered over 4,000 and 284 people died. It also was
learned that West Nile Virus could be transmitted via blood transfusions,
organ transplants, pregnancy and probably breast milk. West Nile Virus
and SARS are just the latest in about 30 infectious diseases that have
been on the rise in recent years.
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- In the past three decades, previously unknown diseases
have surfaced at a pace without precedence in the annals of medicine. The
cast of new diseases includes: HIV/AIDS, Lyme disease, Legionella, Ebola,
Nipah, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, toxic E. coli, a new strain of cholera,
and a host of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Old diseases, like malaria,
cholera, TB, rabies and dengue fever are resurging, while others, like
West Nile Virus, have relocated.
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- Contact: Christine Kraly (703) 276-3258 or ckraly@hastingsgroup.com.
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-
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- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD Please visit my "Emerging
Diseases" message board at: http://www.clickitnews.com/emergingdiseases/index.shtml
Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa Go with God and in Good Health
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