WNV: Range Expanding, Human Death in GA + More

Date: Mon, 20 August 2001
Posted by: Rose Kwok (rmk23@cornell.edu)

The range of West Nile Virus in North America is expanding: preliminary test results have been WNV-positive as far north as Windsor, Canada; and WNV has been confirmed in SE New Hampshire (near MA border) and as far south as Louisiana and Florida. The spread of WNV to the south is of particular concern because mosquitoes can survive year-round in the warm climate. The number of WNV-positive birds continues to be more than double the counts from last year (current count is approximately 750 from Washington, DC and 13 states--CT, FL, GA, LA, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, and VA). About this time last year, roughly 300 birds had been detected in 5 states (CT, MA, NJ, NY, and RI).

Regional highlights since our August 10 Update are noted below, drawn from the WNV websites and press releases from affected states, USGS CINDI maps, USDA APHIS website and various press reports, as noted. For additional news and updates, see ProMED s (http://www.promedmail.org) Friday, August 17, 2001 posting (#20010817.1946), and the the ERAP website (http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/erap/wnv).

1. WNV Human Death in Georgia
2. WNV-positive Horse in Georgia and Pennsylvania
3. WNV found in New Hampshire
4. WNV found in Canada

1. WNV HUMAN DEATH IN GEORGIA
An Atlanta, Georgia woman has become the first person to die from West Nile Virus in 2001. The 71-year-old woman died August 11, 2001, after 12 days of treatment for meningoencephalitis, a swelling of the brain and its surrounding membranes. On August 17, preliminary test results from CDC confirming WNV-infection became available to county and state officials. The Atlanta (Fulton County) woman is the tenth person to die from WNV since it was first detected in the US; the 9 others were from New York and New Jersey. Three other human cases have thus far been detected in 2001: a man and woman in Madison County, FL and a woman from Staten Island, NY. Five others from Fulton County, GA are also being treated for WNV-like symptoms, and officials are awaiting test results to confirm infection. As of 3 pm Aug. 20, the Georgia Division of Public Health had not issued a news release but have linked to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article on this story from their news page. (Information from: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 18 and August 20 and ProMED-mail, August 18).

2. WNV-POSITIVE HORSES IN GEORGIA, PENNSYLVANIA, FLORIDA
The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced on August 16, 2001 its first WNV-positive horse. The 30-year-old mare died in Thomas County (on the Florida border, adjacent to Jefferson and Madison Counties in FL where WNV-positive horses have confirmed). Prior to this, no WNV-positive birds etc. had been confirmed from Thomas Cty., GA. (http://www.agr.state.ga.us/public_affairs/html/first_horse_case_8_16.html [Link no longer active.])

WNV was detected in a horse at Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Bucks County on August 15. The infected horse recently had traveled from Florida to Pennsylvania. Officials are currently investigating where the horse contracted the virus (Source: PA Health Secretary Robert S. Zimmerman, Jr.).

Florida has confirmed 23 WNV-positive horses (Duval, Jefferson, Leon, Madison, and Taylor Counties).

3. WNV FOUND IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
WNV has been detected in NH for the first time this year. Two WNV-positive crows were found, one each in Strafford and Rockingham Counties (announced August 17). (http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/commpublichealth/WestNile.nsf/1a033852c5f13e46852569340053ccab/a358ab792ad0ace085256aae00466d2f?OpenDocument [Link no longer active])

4. WNV IN CANADA
Preliminary tests shown evidence of WNV in a bird found in Windsor, Ontario (Windsor is just across the river from Detroit) on August 8. If confirmed, this will be the first time WNV has been found in Canada since the virus came to North America. Last year in Canada, a bird had tested positive but was proven to be WNV-negative upon further testing. (Sources: August 18 Windsor Star and August 19 ProMED posting)

Rose Kwok, ERAP Intern
Environmental Risk Analysis Program (ERAP)
Center for the Environment
213 Rice Hall, Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Phone: (607) 255-4765 FAX: (607) 255-0238
http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/erap