|
West Nile Virus
5/15/06
Ab,
I just wanted to send this information in regarding an emerging
hazard for wildland firefighters. While some people may interpret my links
and information as a "California thing", be assured it is an emerging hazard
for all wildland firefighters.
Lobotomy
----------------------------------------------------------------------
West Nile Virus Information for Wildland Firefighters
Prevention Measures and Resources:
http://westnile.ca.gov/prevention.htm
Background:
> From the California West Nile Virus Website
www.westnile.ca.gov/
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that is common in Africa,
west Asia, the Middle East, and more recently, North America. Human
infection with WNV may result in serious illness. Experts believe WNV is
established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the
summer and continues into the fall.
When was WNV first found in the United States? West Nile virus was first
detected in the United States in New York in 1999. Since then, WNV has
spread to 48 states, and to Canada and Mexico. Last year there were 2,448
human cases of WNV detected in the United States, including 84 deaths. This
is much lower than in 2003 when there were more than 10,000 human cases of
WNV detected, including 262 deaths.
When was WNV first found in California?
WNV first appeared in California in 2002 with the identification of one
human case. In 2003, three human cases occurred in California and WNV
activity was detected in six southern California counties. By 2004, WNV
activity was observed in all 58 counties in California and 830 human
infections were identified. Click Here for a summary of West Nile Virus in
California in 2004.
How is WNV detected and monitored in California?
California is well prepared to detect, monitor, and respond to WNV through
ongoing collaboration between over 100 public agencies. The California
surveillance system includes human and horse case detection and testing of
mosquitoes, sentinel chicken flocks, and dead birds for WNV.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compiled data from various CDC websources - 2006
From the CDC (2005) Stats:
"Of the 2949 cases, 1272 (43%) were reported as West Nile meningitis
or encephalitis (neuroinvasive disease), 1566 (53%) were reported as
West Nile fever (milder disease), and 111 (4%) were clinically
unspecified at this time."
2005: 116 confirmed deaths in the United States from WNV.
From the CDC (2004) Stats:
"Of the 2539 cases, 1142 (45%) were reported as West Nile meningitis
or encephalitis (neuroinvasive disease), 1269 (50%) were reported as
West Nile fever (milder disease), and 128 (5%) were clinically
unspecified at this time."
2004: 100 confirmed deaths in the United States from WNV.
From the CDC (2003) Stats:
" Of 9862 cases, 6830 (69%) were reported as West Nile fever (milder
disease), 2866 (29%) were reported as West Nile meningitis or
encephalitis (neuroinvasive disease) and 166 (2%) were clinically
unspecified."
2003: 264 confirmed deaths in the United States from WNV.
From the CDC (2002) Stats:
"Of the 4156 cases, 2946 (71%) were reported as West Nile meningitis
or encephalitis (neuroinvasive disease), 1160 (28%) were reported as
West Nile fever (milder disease), and 50 (1%) were clinically
unspecified at this time."
2002: 284 confirmed deaths in the United States from WNV.
From the CDC (2001) Stats:
"Of the 66 cases, 64 (97%) were reported as West Nile meningitis or
encephalitis (neuroinvasive disease), 2 (3%) were reported as West Nile
fever (milder disease), and 0 (1%) were clinically unspecified at this
time."
2001: 9 confirmed deaths in the United States from WNV.
From the CDC (2000) Stats:
"Of the 21 cases, 19 (90%) were reported as West Nile meningitis or
encephalitis (neuroinvasive disease), 2 (10%) were reported as West Nile
fever (milder disease), and 0 (0%) were clinically unspecified at this
time."
2000: 2 confirmed deaths in the United States from WNV.
From the CDC (1999) Stats:
"Of the 62 cases, 59 (95%) were reported as West Nile meningitis or
encephalitis (neuroinvasive disease), 3 (5%) were reported as West Nile
fever (milder disease), and 0 (0%) were clinically unspecified at this
time."
1999: 7 confirmed deaths in the United States from WNV.
1999 to Present:782 confirmed deaths in the United States from West Nile
Virus.
Additional Resources:
California West Nile Website:
www.westnile.ca.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/
Thanks to flutrackers.com for allowing me to compile information on this
emerging infectious disease. |
