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West
Nile virus has spread rapidly across the nation since the first
case occurred in New York in 1999. This viral disease, transmitted
by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds, was first identified
in a feverish woman in the West Nile District of the African country,
Uganda, in 1937.
By the early 1950s, the virus had spread to Egypt and was isolated
from humans, birds, and mosquitoes. Human outbreaks occurred in
Israel in 1957, and horses were sickened with the disease in Egypt
and France during the early 1960s. Today, West Nile virus is found
in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.
West Nile virus infects many animals, including reptiles and amphibians,
but most develop immunity and do not become sick. However, occasional
sickness does occur in humans, horses, and other equines, some bird
species, and a few other mammals. Symptoms range from mild flu-like
illness including fever, headache, and body ache to severe brain
infection called encephalitis.
The virus has been detected in all but six states. As this publication
went to press, Washington was one of eight states not reporting
human cases; but, last fall, two birds, one on each side of the
state, and two horses in western Washington were confirmed with
the virus. Given the rapid spread of the virus elsewhere in the
country, more cases in Washington are likely this year.
The gateway to Cooperative Extension's
West Nile Virus outreach is
wnv.wsu.edu
or any county Cooperative Extension office. |
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Tom Platt with his 30-year-old mule.
Platt explains that the equine West Nile virus vaccine, available from veterinarians, is especially important for older animals that are particularly hard hit if infected with virus. |
Last year, 3,852 human cases were reported in 39 states and Washington,
D.C., resulting in 232 deaths. There were 14,717 equine cases reported
in 40 states with an approximate death rate of 30 percent. Comparing
these numbers to the total human and equine population in the U.S.,
the likelihood of any one individual or horse contracting the virus
is extremely low.
Nevertheless,
West Nile virus can cause serious illness and precautionary measures
are warranted. Cooperative Extension has undertaken an outreach
effort to inform people across the state about the virus and appropriate
precautionary measures to reduce the likelihood of infection. This
effort is being facilitated by Tom Platt, an extension educator
in Davenport.
Precautionary
measures include mosquito abatement through habitat reduction, predation,
and appropriate pesticide use; personal protection and use of mosquito
repellents during outdoor activities; and protection of horses through
vaccination, insecticides, and physical barriers in stables.
Tom
Platt
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