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American Morning
West Nile Virus
Aired May 26, 2003 - 08:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Well as we said before the break, summer doesn't arrive for about three-and-a-half weeks or so, but that doesn't mean that it's not time to think about West Nile virus. That was a big concern across the country as mosquitoes carry that disease from coast to coast.
So what do you do to protect yourself now going into the summer season?
Let's find out now from our Elizabeth Cohen who checks in right now from Atlanta -- Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Leon, with all the news about SARS lately, it's easy to forget that in the United State no one's died of SARS; but last summer, hundreds of Americans died of West Nile virus.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They're back and so is West Nile virus. Last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 284 people died in the U.S. of the disease and some 4,000 people were diagnosed with West Nile in 39 states.
One official says he's concerned this year could be worse. There's been so much rain this spring in many parts of the United States and mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. Already this year, animals with West Nile virus have been found in nine states. Although animals can't pass the virus to people, you can get it from mosquitoes or tainted blood transfusions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you heard the buzz about West Nile virus? Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites that spread the virus.
COHEN: That's why the CDC is trying to get the word out, prepare now for the West Nile virus season.
JULIE GERBERDING, CDC DIRECTOR: The earlier we get into the mind frame of fighting against this infectious disease, the better off we'll be when it is a full-born summer months and the mosquitoes are about.
COHEN: The CDC recommends get rid of standing water in your yard. Organize a mosquito control program in your neighborhood, if there isn't one already. Use a repellent containing the chemical DEET. Wear long pants and sleeves and spray your clothing with a spray containing DEET or permethrin.
(on camera): And perhaps the most important advise of all, don't panic. While the 4,000 cases of West Nile virus last year may sound like a lot, think about how many millions of people were bit by mosquitoes.
(voice-over): And keep this in mind, according to the CDC 80 percent of people who get West Nile don't get sick at all, they're perfectly fine. Twenty percent have mild symptoms, such as fever and headache, less than 1 percent become severely ill.
The most vulnerable, the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems. So the best strategy, prepare for the worst, but know that chances are the worst will never happen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Now here are two other hints for avoiding West Nile virus, perfume and aftershave attract the mosquitoes. And also, mosquitoes are at their worst at dusk and at dawn -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, so this is what now, five years that we've been dealing with this West Nile virus here in the country? What have -- what have we learned, Elizabeth, over the five years that we've been dealing with this?
COHEN: That's right, this is our fifth summer. And what they have not learned, unfortunately, is how to treat West Nile virus. There is still no treatment for the disease. What they learned last summer is that mosquitoes are not the only way that people get West Nile virus. Unfortunately, some people also got it when they received tainted organs. It's also believed that it can be spread through tainted blood -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, thank you, Elizabeth. Thanks for the cheering news today.
COHEN: You bet.
HARRIS: At least folks do know how to prevent this thing from at least spreading amongst us. Thanks, Elizabeth, we'll see you soon.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 26, 2003 - 08:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Well as we said before the break, summer doesn't arrive for about three-and-a-half weeks or so, but that doesn't mean that it's not time to think about West Nile virus. That was a big concern across the country as mosquitoes carry that disease from coast to coast.
So what do you do to protect yourself now going into the summer season?
Let's find out now from our Elizabeth Cohen who checks in right now from Atlanta -- Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Leon, with all the news about SARS lately, it's easy to forget that in the United State no one's died of SARS; but last summer, hundreds of Americans died of West Nile virus.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They're back and so is West Nile virus. Last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 284 people died in the U.S. of the disease and some 4,000 people were diagnosed with West Nile in 39 states.
One official says he's concerned this year could be worse. There's been so much rain this spring in many parts of the United States and mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. Already this year, animals with West Nile virus have been found in nine states. Although animals can't pass the virus to people, you can get it from mosquitoes or tainted blood transfusions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you heard the buzz about West Nile virus? Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites that spread the virus.
COHEN: That's why the CDC is trying to get the word out, prepare now for the West Nile virus season.
JULIE GERBERDING, CDC DIRECTOR: The earlier we get into the mind frame of fighting against this infectious disease, the better off we'll be when it is a full-born summer months and the mosquitoes are about.
COHEN: The CDC recommends get rid of standing water in your yard. Organize a mosquito control program in your neighborhood, if there isn't one already. Use a repellent containing the chemical DEET. Wear long pants and sleeves and spray your clothing with a spray containing DEET or permethrin.
(on camera): And perhaps the most important advise of all, don't panic. While the 4,000 cases of West Nile virus last year may sound like a lot, think about how many millions of people were bit by mosquitoes.
(voice-over): And keep this in mind, according to the CDC 80 percent of people who get West Nile don't get sick at all, they're perfectly fine. Twenty percent have mild symptoms, such as fever and headache, less than 1 percent become severely ill.
The most vulnerable, the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems. So the best strategy, prepare for the worst, but know that chances are the worst will never happen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Now here are two other hints for avoiding West Nile virus, perfume and aftershave attract the mosquitoes. And also, mosquitoes are at their worst at dusk and at dawn -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, so this is what now, five years that we've been dealing with this West Nile virus here in the country? What have -- what have we learned, Elizabeth, over the five years that we've been dealing with this?
COHEN: That's right, this is our fifth summer. And what they have not learned, unfortunately, is how to treat West Nile virus. There is still no treatment for the disease. What they learned last summer is that mosquitoes are not the only way that people get West Nile virus. Unfortunately, some people also got it when they received tainted organs. It's also believed that it can be spread through tainted blood -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, thank you, Elizabeth. Thanks for the cheering news today.
COHEN: You bet.
HARRIS: At least folks do know how to prevent this thing from at least spreading amongst us. Thanks, Elizabeth, we'll see you soon.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
