West Nile Virus lurks as potential threat; vaccine three years away

By Kathleen Donovan
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

It's getting colder in Vermont, and although some bemoan the passing of warm summer weather, one advantage is the disappearance of mosquitoes.

No mosquitoes means no chance of contracting West Nile virus.

This summer news reports would give the impression that the disease seemed to be spreading, but medical researchers are not very concerned about the West Nile Virus, yet. The vaccine will not be ready for about three years.

The virus has been worse this year than ever before, but even with this increase, the chances of contracting the virus with fatal results is very low.

"Most people who become infected with West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones." according to the Center for Disease Control web site. (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/)

"Fewer than one percent of people infected with West Nile virus develop encephalitis, and among those hospitalized with West Nile encephalitis, the case fatality rate changes from three percent to 15 percent. Therefore, fewer than one in 1,000 people infected with West Nile virus die," according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOH). (www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/wnv/wnvfaq11.html)

The virus "first appeared in the United States in 1999 but caused an epidemic this year. So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has counted more than 1,900 infections and 94 deaths." according to Fox News. "West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis, inflammation of the brain or meningitis, inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord."

It is transferred to mosquitoes from infected birds that the mosquito bites and from there, transferred to humans, according to the NYC DOH.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that the virus can be spread through any human contact. Touching, kissing, or caring for an infected person will not spread the virus from one person to another, the NYC DOH said.

"West Nile virus infection typically begins with the abrupt onset of fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, and overall feeling of illness," eMedicine stated.

"Headache is particularly common and may be severe. The person may have sensitivity to light with pain behind the eyes." (www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic542.htm)

The way to prevent infection is simply to avoid mosquito bites.

The recommended repellent is one with a 10 to 30 percent DEET solution, but prolonged use of such repellent against the skin is not recommended. Layered clothes sprayed with the solution are preferable, says eMedicine.

A vaccine has been developed and is being tested, but it could be several years before it is ready for human use, says Fox News (www.fox31.com). The testing done on mice with West Nile Virus has been successful, but human testing is still some distance in the future, according to eMedicine.

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