- This is yet, another indication, that West Nile Virus
(WNV) has become endemic and ingrained in the Western Hemisphere. I can
no longer say that it is endemic and ingrained in North America or Northern
Hemisphere because it is well adapted in the Southern Hemisphere as well
as evidenced in repeated infection in Central America.
-
- It appears that the virus is becoming even more adapted
to the climate in parts of the US and Central America and has surfaced
during Winter, indicating it is mutating.
-
- Patricia Doyle
-
-
- Date: Wed 11 Feb 2004
- From: ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org
- Source: Washington Times / United Press report, Tue 10
Feb 2004 [edited]
- http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040210-083120-1907r.htm
-
-
- Texas: West Nile virus infected bird found in Houston
- -----------------------------------------------------
- Officials in Houston, Texas, have discovered West Nile
virus in a bird, but its early detection may not indicate a severe season.
The fact the dead blue jay (found in north west Houston on 22 Jan 2004)
tested positive for West Nile virus indicates the virus survived through
winter and that Texas can expect to grapple with the mosquitoborne virus
again this summer, according to Ray Parsons, head of Harris County's mosquito
control division.
-
- In 2003, infected birds were not found until May [2003],
but the early detection is probably not an indicator of the severity of
the problem West Nile [may] pose this year, the Houston Chronicle reported
on Tue 10 Feb 2004. "There is really no need for alarm right now,"
Parsons said. "We wanted to put this information out because if we
find something, we want to let the public know."
-
- The vast majority of people who become infected with
West Nile virus show no symptoms, or only mild symptoms such as a low fever.
Severe symptoms, such as high fever, stiff neck, and muscle weakness, usually
occur between 5 and 15 days after a bite from a virus-carrying mosquito,
usually after the month of June.
-
- --
- ProMED-mail
- promed@promedmail.org
-
- [This is the 1st report of West Nile virus infection
of any species in the
- USA for the year 2004. We await developments. - Mod.CP]
-
-
- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD
- Please visit my "Emerging Diseases" message
board at:
- http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
- Go with God and in Good Health
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