By Emma Patten-Hitt
NEW YORK (Reuters
Health) - Mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV), which can cause
mild flu-like symptoms but can sometimes be fatal, is already
more widespread in the United States than it was last year, researchers
report.
``We know
that the virus has spread and will continue to spread, `` Dr.
Lyle Petersen with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
in Atlanta, told Reuters Health. ``For all we can tell, nothing
is going to stop it from spreading throughout the entire US,''
he added.
The latest
statistics on the spread of West Nile virus were published in
the November 24th issue of the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report.
According
to the CDC in 1999 the virus was detected in four states--Connecticut,
Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.
By 2000, however,
viral activity in birds and/or mosquitoes was reported from 12
states--Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Vermont, and Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
West Nile
Virus first appeared in the continental US in New York City in
September of last year. In rare cases, infection with the virus,
which is transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes, develops
into an inflammation of the brain, called encephalitis and can
be fatal.
``There's
absolutely no way to predict what will happen next year,'' said
Petersen. ``One of the problems with WNV is that it is unpredictable.''
``There may
be more potential for humans to become infected in future years
than currently,'' said Petersen, who advised that during the summer
months people take precautions to avoid mosquito bites by wearing
mosquito repellent, long sleeve shirts or pants and avoiding being
outside at times around dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are more
active.
He also suggested
that people should try to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds
on their own property. ``Mosquitoes don't fly very far and so
just by getting rid of mosquito breeding areas on your own property
can do a lot to reduce your risk.''
Ways to reduce
the number of mosquitoes include: making sure gutters aren't clogged,
making sure the screens are in good repair, and draining any sources
of water in yards.
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