West Nile virus found in Indiana

The presence of dead birds in several Indiana counties has led to warnings of the West Nile virus.\nThe Indiana State Department of Health reports that birds infected with the deadly virus have been found in Lake, Clark, Vanderburgh, Marion and Floyd counties. No cases of West Nile encephalitis in humans have been reported in Indiana.\nHealth officials fear that the wide distribution of cases marks the permanent entry of the virus into the state. \nThe West Nile virus, a flavavirus, is an organism that causes encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. It is related to St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and the Usutu virus.\nSymptoms of West Nile encephalitis include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes, according to a press release. More serious infections are marked by neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and in rare instances, death.\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a virus that primarily infects birds, only spreading to humans through infected mosquitoes. The CDC said mosquitoes which bite infected birds store the virus in their salivary glands, infecting the next organism they bite. \nFewer than 1 percent of mosquitoes in areas where the virus is present carry it. The West Nile virus can infect humans, horses, pigs, dogs, cats and birds.\nThe virus is new to the United States. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports that the West Nile virus first spread to the Western Hemisphere in 1999, where it caused seven deaths and 62 illnesses in less than two months in the New York area.\nThe virus is most common on the Eastern seaboard, but is steadily moving west. The ISDH said cases have recently been reported in Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Louisiana and Ontario.\nWhile becoming more widespread, the virus is not an extreme health hazard. Although possibly deadly, the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease said the virus causes fatal illness in fewer that 1 percent of humans infected. Most at risk are the elderly, very young and those with compromised immune systems.\nUSAMRIID has joined efforts with the NIAID and pharmaceutical companies to develop a vaccine for the virus. No vaccine currently exists.\nThe CDC stresses that there should be no panic over the West Nile virus. It cannot be transmitted from an infected person to another, or from an infected bird to a human. Mosquitoes carrying the virus are the only threat.\nIn a press release, State Health Commissioner Greg Wilson, M.D., stressed the need for preventive measures.\n"Even in states where West Nile virus has been reported in humans, it has only affected a small number of people," said Wilson. "Human symptoms are generally mild, but this virus does have the capability of causing much more serious problems. Therefore, adequate precautions should be taken."\nTo prevent the spread of the virus the CDC advises that communities closely monitor virus activity in mosquitoes, birds, livestock and humans.\nThe ISDH asked local health departments to be on the lookout for dead bluejays, crows and raptors. These species of birds are the most likely to be infected with West Nile.\nTo date, the ISDH has tested 4,643 live birds from 33 counties and 8,410 mosquitoes from 13 counties. Infection rates have been low, but prevention is necessary.\n The ISDH recommends that Hoosiers avoid being outside at night, as the mosquitoes that carry the virus are primarily night feeding insects.\n Wearing repellent containing diethyl toluamide (DEET) as the primary ingredient is also suggested.\n "Whenever possible, repellent should be applied to clothing and not skin," said Michael Sinsko, senior medical entomologist at the ISDH. "In all cases, everyone should read the precautions on the labels of all repellent products before use."\n The CDC adds that the most effective repellents contain 35 percent DEET, and that vitamin B and ultrasonic devices are not effective at preventing bites. \nAnyone concerned that they are infected with the West Nile virus should see their physician, who will look at a patient's medical history to see if they are at risk. There is no specific therapy for West Nile, but intensive supportive therapy like intravenous fluids and airway management is common treatment.\nFor more information on West Nile virus, visit the CDC question and answer page, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm