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CNN Live Today

Colorado Animals Test Positive for West Nile

Aired August 16, 2002 - 12:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Returning to the deadly West Nile virus now, it is spreading. Colorado may be added to the growing list of states with the disease after several animals tested positive, and there are also new human cases reported in the Chicago area.
CNN Medical Correspondent Rea Blakey joins us from Washington now with more on that -- hi there, Rea.

REA BLAKEY, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fred. Three new cases in the Illinois area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts if the West Nile follows the pattern of previous years, we could have 1,000 human cases before it is done this season.

And remember, we have not hit the traditional peak of the season, which generally occurs at the end of August, the beginning of September. Currently, ten states and the District of Colombia have confirmed human cases, Ohio being the latest addition there. The total number of human cases, according to the CDC, 160.

Now, Illinois health officials reporting those three additional cases, that's not yet been added to the federal tally. Nine deaths so far, seven in Louisiana, two in Mississippi. Total number of states where West Nile virus is present -- and that means that humans, mosquitoes, birds, horses, now 37 plus the District of Columbia.

Of course, if Colorado infections in animals are confirmed by the CDC, that would be the Western most state where the virus is present.

Now, until now, only the Culex mosquito, which is active at night has been shown to transmit West Nile to humans, but for the first time this season, the Asian Tiger mosquito has also been found to be carrying the virus. This is Maryland. That according to the International Societies for Infectious Diseases. The discovery carries a greater health risk for humans since the Asian Tiger mosquito, active during the day, tends to bite only humans, not birds or other animals.

So, possible symptoms that should send you to the doctor would include severe headache, sensitivity to light, fever, sometimes a rash or other signs of mental confusion, also a reminder that most people infected with the virus display no symptoms, about one in five develop mild fever or other flu-like symptoms, which typically, Fred, go away in a couple of days. To reduce your risk of being bitten by one of those infected mosquitoes, you should wear a repellent with at least 25 to 35 percent DEET. That's a chemical. Just 10 percent for kids of DEET. And make sure to dump all the standing water on your property. That's where the mosquitoes breed -- Fred. WHITFIELD: So Rea, say you are feeling those serious symptoms, then what is the treatment?

BLAKEY: Yes, at this point, there is no actual treatment for West Nile virus. There's no vaccine, nothing they can give you specifically for the virus. However, in cases where there is some kind of brain inflammation or swelling or severe cases, typically what doctors do is try to manage all the other symptoms while the virus then takes its course and subsides, but there is no specific treatment for West Nile.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks very much. Rea Blakey. Appreciate it.

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