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Middle East virus `here to stay` in USA

December 21, 2001

A virus that originated in the Middle East has become endemic in certain parts of the USA and is set to spread further over the coming year, medical experts heard today (Wednesday 09 January 2002) during a joint meeting of the European Societies of Clinical and Veterinary Virology and the Society for General Microbiology at the Royal College of Physicians, London.

"Surveillance of human as well as mosquito, animal and bird populations has revealed that the West Nile virus is well established in States along the Eastern seaboard of the USA and in some parts of Canada. There seems no reason why it will not also spread to Central and South America," says Professor Brian Mahy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.

West Nile virus can cause a fatal brain disease in humans, horses and birds. Infected birds provide the main reservoir for the virus, but it can be spread to humans and other animals by mosquitoes. After feeding on infected birds, mosquitoes can transmit the virus to other species whilst biting them to take blood.

The WNV-NY99 strain found in New York is identical to one that was detected previously in Israel. As yet scientists have been unable to show how the virus made its way to the USA. During 2001 there were 48 human cases in America with 5 deaths. But as the virus begins to cover a wider geographical area there are fears that the number of human cases will increase.

Prof Mahy explains, "The virus has proven to be able to overwinter in North America and will continue to return every summer with the advent of new mosquito populations. By studying the distribution of the virus in different animal hosts, we hope to better predict the effects of the infection on human populations."

"Expanding our knowledge of this virus should allow us to introduce more effective public health control measures. The early application of larvicides to destroy mosquito populations and raising public awareness of the risk of infection in summer months will reduce the number of human deaths," says Prof Mahy.

Society for General Microbiology

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