Scientists Say West Nile Virus Could Be National Threat...03/28/00

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) The West Nile-like strain of encephalitis found in Connecticut and New York last summer could emerge as a national public health threat if it becomes permanently established in the area, the state's top entomologist predicted.

''If this virus reappears this coming year in mosquitos and birds, it's very likely that it will spread out of southwestern Connecticut, New York City and the surrounding counties and New Jersey,'' said John Anderson, director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

''If the virus is permanently established in North America, it will only be a matter of time before migratory birds carry it (throughout) the U.S.,'' Anderson said.

Anderson and U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., said at a news conference Monday that the state would receive $200,000 from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to detect and analyze outbreaks of the virus in mosquitoes, animals or people.

No human cases of the mosquito-borne virus were reported in Connecticut last year, but hundreds of birds, mostly crows, died. Evidence of the virus in Connecticut has been limited to Fairfield and New Haven counties, but recent developments suggest it is likely to spread to other parts of the state, Anderson said.

The virus hit hardest in New York City, where 62 cases were reported and seven people died.

Before last year, the West Nile-like strain of the virus had not been detected in the Western Hemisphere.

In an effort to prevent another outbreak, the state will rely on widespread larviciding to prevent mosquitos from maturing and spreading the virus to birds. The bulk of new mosquito traps will be placed in lower Fairfield County and New Haven counties, Anderson said.