WNV Economic Impact, Louisiana 02 (EID Oct 04)

WEST NILE VIRUS ECONOMIC IMPACT, LOUISIANA, 2002

Emerging Infectious Diseases 10 (10) October 2004
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no10/03-0925.htm
Armineh Zohrabian, Martin I. Meltzer, Raoult Ratard, Kaafee Billah,
Noelle A. Molinari, Kakoli Roy, R. Douglas Scott II,*] and Lyle R.
Petersen

Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and can
cause illness in humans ranging from mild fever to encephalitis. In
2002, a total of 4,156 WNV cases were reported in the United States;
329 were in Louisiana. To estimate the economic impact of the 2002
WNV epidemic in Louisiana, we collected data from hospitals, a
patient questionnaire, and public offices. Hospital charges were
converted to economic costs by using Medicare cost-to-charge ratios.
The estimated cost of the Louisiana epidemic was $20.1 million from
June 2002 to February 2003, including a $10.9 million cost of illness
($4.4 million medical and $6.5 million nonmedical costs) and a $9.2
million cost of public health response. These data indicate a
substantial short-term cost of the WNV disease epidemic in Louisiana.

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