Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

West Nile Worsens

Aired August 16, 2002 - 11:05   ET

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

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Now the latest on the West Nile epidemic. Health officials in Colorado say a crow and three horses have tested positive for West Nile. If those cases are confirmed, Colorado would be the westernmost state where the virus has been detected.
Officials in Illinois yesterday reported three new human cases. They are all in the Chicago area. A 70-year-old man is hospitalized in critical condition, and two women have been treated for West Nile encephalitis.

CNN medical correspondent Rea Blakey joins us now from Washington with the very latest.

Good morning to you -- Rea.

REA BLAKEY, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Marty.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts if the West Nile virus follows the pattern of previous years, we could have 1,000 human cases before it's done this year. And remember, we have not yet hit the traditional peak of the season. Generally, West Nile virus peaks at the end of August, beginning of September.

So the total number of human cases, according to the CDC: 160. That represents four additional cases confirmed, two in Ohio, two in Texas. Currently, 10 states and the District of Columbia have confirmed human cases; Ohio, the latest addition there.

Now, Illinois health authorities report three additional cases that you mentioned. Those are not currently included in the federal tally. Nine deaths nationwide so far, seven in Louisiana, two in Mississippi. The total number of states where West Nile virus is present -- that means human, mosquito, bird, horse cases -- now 37 plus the District of Colombia.

Now, if Colorado infections in nonhumans are confirmed by the CDC, as you indicated, Marty, would be the westernmost state what that virus is present.

Now, until now, only the Culex mosquito, which is active at night, had been shown to transmit West Nile virus to humans. For the first time this season, the Asian Tiger mosquito has been found to be carrying the virus in Montgomery County, Maryland. It's the first time ever in that county. That according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases. The discovery carries a greater health risk, they say, for humans, since the Asian Tiger mosquito is active during the day, and tends to bite only humans, not birds or other animals. No reported human cases of West Nile virus in that county as of yet.

Again, this reminder, Marty, most people infected with the virus display no symptoms. About one in five will develop a mild fever or other flu-like symptoms, which typically will go away on their own in a few days -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: Just curious, Rea, if you do get it and didn't know you had it, would you thereby be immune for the future?

BLAKEY: That's actually something that the CDC has looked at, and they believe, based on other viruses that are similar to this one, that that would, in fact, be the case. That an individual, who might be infected by a mosquito who develops some rather mild symptoms or none whatsoever, would actually also develop a natural immunity. That is what they suspect is going to occur and has been occurring with the spread of this virus.

But again, most people don't have any symptoms, and if you do, in fact, get infected, you may develop a natural immunity, according to CDC.

SAVIDGE: Yes, that is very interesting. Rea Blakey, our medical correspondent -- thank you very much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.