Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

West Nile Virus Expected to Spread Much More

Aired August 16, 2002 - 14:49   ET

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

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The West Nile virus -- it is making it's way across the nation, infecting people and animals. The virus has been found in birds, mosquitoes, and horses in 37 states and in Washington, D.C. There are 160 human cases nationwide. The virus is spread by mosquitoes.
Science Correspondent Ann Kellan joins us now from the news room with more on how this disease is spreading -- Ann.

ANN KELLAN, CNN SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT: Well, right now those studying the spread of West Nile virus are preparing for the worst. If this year's outbreak follows the pace of last year's cases, the spread of West Nile virus is expected to take off over the next three weeks, cropping up in more and more states. Now, as you mentioned, the moves westward. It is moving west now with the nine states, as you mentioned, and D.C. reporting human outbreaks.

One way this virus spreads is when a bird gets infected with West Nile, gets bit by a mosquito, and then the mosquito bites a human. Now experts worry the outbreak of West Nile in humans is likely to follow the outbreaks reported in birds.

So we go from nine states and D.C. to 37 states plus D.C. that have reported confirmed cases.

Will this be where the next human cases crop up? That is the question they are asking now, and to add to the concern, this is the time of year when certain birds have stopped reproducing, and are wandering -- not necessarily moving north to south yet, but they can wander as much as 500 to a thousand miles, and that is one way that this disease can be spread.

Now many states, like California, have already set up surveillance and control programs. They are studying the mosquito populations daily. We got a report from Tom Scott at UC Davis. So far, he says none of the mosquitoes that they are studying have West Nile, but unfortunately they say -- they expect it will happen, but can't say when or where.

And that is why you are always urged to take those precautions when you go outside to wear DEET, long sleeves, avoid going outside at dusk, dawn, and early evening hours. So, more states are expected to get West Nile -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: Ann, you mentioned birds there, how they may contribute to the spread of the West Nile virus. Any particular certain birds we have heard talk of -- maybe blue jays and crows. KELLAN: I know there is a lot of talk because they have found blue jays and crows with West Nile, and according to bird behaviorist Kevin McGowan (ph), he says he doesn't think crows are to blame for the spread of the virus, even though there are plenty of crows being tested with it, but other birds are too, and his theory is that it is the migrating birds that go to Florida. They may be carrying the virus in them. They go south, they hang out with other birds from other states in the south, and the mosquitoes are biting there too. They hang around there, and then they come back with the West Nile virus in them to the states in the Spring.

That is just a theory. I think there is a lot more to study but he is saying that the crows are getting a bad rap, and it probably not spread by them. But, we will have to wait and see.

SAVIDGE: Wouldn't be the first time the crows get a bad rap. Ann Kellan, 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