- ITHACA, New York (ENS) -
This year, the West Nile virus has been discovered over a much wider area
and than in previous years, and it has spread farther west, according to
a risk analysis issued today by Cornell University. The virus, which made
its first U.S. appearance on Long Island in 1999, is now found in 26 states
and three Canadian provinces. Last year the virus was confined to eight
states.
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- This year, West Nile virus has been detected in birds,
mosquitoes, humans, and/or horses in at least 26 states and Washington,
DC as well as Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec.
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- To date, there have been 152 total human cases of West
Nile virus illness in the United States confirmed by the federal Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Eighteen people have died.
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- Of the 651 cases of equine infection confirmed in 20
states by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Lab, 156
horses have died or were euthanized. The vast majority of equine cases
and deaths were in Florida.
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- The virus has been detected in four new states this year
- Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas - that extend its perimeters
farther west than before, according to the www.cfe.cornell.edu/risk/WNV/
Environmental Risk Analysis Program of the Cornell University Center for
the Environment.
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- Today, the Oklahoma State Department of Health and Tulsa
City-County Health Department confirmed that a crow found in the Tulsa
city limits has tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first
detection of the virus in Oklahoma. No human cases have been reported in
the state.
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- The virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
It is not spread by person-to-person contact, or by contact with infected
animals. Persons who are bitten by infected mosquitoes will usually develop
only a mild flu-like illness; less than one percent will develop the more
serious complications of encephalitis. Persons over the age of 50 are at
higher risk of severe disease and death.
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- Cornell researchers have documented seven cases of West
Nile virus in humans this year, all in southeast Louisiana. No one has
died of the illness.
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- The New York City Department of Health today announced
that a mosquito pool collected in the Van Nest area of the Bronx tested
positive for West Nile virus. This is the first mosquito pool to test positive
for the virus from this area in 2002.
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- So far this year, a total of eight mosquito pools have
tested positive for West Nile virus - seven from Staten Island, and one
from the Bronx. More than 200 dead birds have been tested for the virus.
One, a grackle from Staten Island, was reported positive today.
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- New York outbreaks this year were recorded in June, two
months earlier than in previous years.
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- "In just three years since the introduction of West
Nile virus into New York City, we have in place one of the most sophisticated
monitoring and control programs in the world," said New York Mayor
Michael Bloomberg. "In 1999, when the virus was first discovered,
there were four deaths; in 2000 there was one death; and in 2001 there
were no deaths, and that's the way we want to keep it."
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- New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said
"With West Nile virus appearing in both mosquitoes and birds this
year, all New Yorkers should remember that these are the months of peak
mosquito activity and should take personal precautions to prevent against
the transmission of West Nile virus and get rid of standing water around
your home."
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- The New York City Health Department will apply a natural
bacterial larvicide, VectoLex CG, to 135,000 areas of standing water in
an effort to eradicate the mosquitoes before they hatch.
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- On Thursday, the agency began a three day application
of larvicide sprayed from a helicopter over northwestern Staten Island,
in response to recent findings indicating an increase in mosquitoes in
the area.
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- The Maine Environmental Policy Institute warns that the
chemicals released into the environment in an effort to control mosquitoes
may be harmful to human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. "They can
cause cancer, immune and nervous system disruption, vision loss, and reproductive
and learning problems. Many are highly toxic to wildlife, particularly
fish, bees, birds, and lobsters," the institute says.
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- "Lobstermen in Long Island Sound blame spraying
for West Nile virus mosquitoes in New York and Connecticut for the near
total destruction of their fishery. They are suing the chemical company
manufacturers for $125 million. 150 lobstermen who fished in the Sound
have lost their livelihoods," according to a report released by the
institute in May 2001.
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- City officials warned New Yorkers to take personal precautions
to guard against mosquito bites. Dr. Frieden said, "Now that West
Nile virus is a part of our environment, New Yorkers should routinely take
precautions against mosquitoes."
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- Property owners with areas of standing water, which may
act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus, may be
fined up to $2,000 for not eliminating standing water.
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- Health departments across the country recommend taking
personal precautions such as eliminating standing water on their own property
by clearing clogged gutters, draining flower pots, recycling old car tires,
and repairing window and door screens. In the spring, summer, and fall
people can spray insect repellent on their clothing and exposed skin in
accordance with labeling directions, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
when outdoors, or curb outdoor activities at dawn, dusk and during the
evening.
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- For more information on taking personal precautions against
West Nile virus and how to mosquito proof your home, visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/wnvhome.html
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- To contact your state health department about West Nile
virus, log on to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/city_states.htm
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- Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2002. All Rights
Reserved.
- http://ens-news.com/ens/jul2002/2002-07-18-05.asp
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