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medpundit |
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Wednesday, July 16, 2003The West Nile virus is spreading much more quickly this year than last, raising fears the new infection may take an even bigger toll on people and wildlife, federal health officials said yesterday. The virus has already been detected this summer in mosquitoes, birds, horses or other animals in at least 32 states, including Virginia, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reported. At this time last year, about 20 states had detected the virus. But wait. Wasn't the virus new to most states last year, whereas this year it's alreay established in the continental United States? Yep: The virus spread to 44 states last year, when more than 4,000 cases of human West Nile infection were reported, including 284 deaths. Health experts believe the virus is now permanently established in this country. So of course more states are going to be reporting the virus this year. It doesn't have to be imported anywhere by birds and mosquitoes before it shows up. It already lives in states from coast to coast. posted by Sydney on 7/16/2003 07:13:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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