West Nile Outbreak Largest Ever In U.S. 38 States Reported Human Infections - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 08-20-2012, 11:45 PM

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West Nile Outbreak Largest Ever In U.S.
38 states have reported human infections
Author: By Elizabeth Cohen Senior Medical Correspondent
Posted: Aug 22 2012 10:37 AM CDT Updated: Aug 22 2012 11:07 PM CDT

(CNN) - The recent West Nile virus outbreak is the largest ever seen in the United States, according to new numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of cases so far this year is the highest recorded through August since the disease was first detected in the United States in 1999. As of Tuesday, 38 states had reported human infections. The cases reported to the CDC as of Tuesday total 1,118, including 41 deaths. That number rose to 42 on Wednesday when a death was reported in Arkansas.

"The peak of West Nile virus epidemics usually occurs in mid-August, but it takes a couple of weeks for people to get sick, go to the doctor and get reported," said Dr. Lyle Petersen, the director of the CDC's Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Division. "Thus we expect many more cases to occur."
Petersen said that the reason for the high number of cases this year is unclear, but that unusually warm weather could have fostered favorable conditions for the disease's transfer to humans.

About 75% of the cases are in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota and Oklahoma. Texas has been at the epicenter of the outbreak, with 586 confirmed cases and 21 deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Here are five things you need to know about West Nile virus:

1. Most mosquitoes do not carry West Nile.
In areas where mosquitoes carry the virus, only about one in 500 mosquitoes is infected, according to the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program.

2. Most people bit by West Nile mosquitoes do not get sick.
About 80% of people bit by a mosquito infected with the West Nile virus do not get sick, according to the CDC. About 20% will have relatively mild symptoms, such as fever, headache and vomiting. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days or as long as a few weeks. About one in 150 people infected with West Nile will develop a severe illness, which can include paralysis, coma or death.

3. You can help prevent West Nile with the "four Ds."
Use mosquito repellent with DEET
Dress in long pants and long sleeves
Be especially careful at dusk and dawn
Drain any standing water, such as kiddie pools or bird fountains, where mosquitoes like to breed.

4. People over 50 are most vulnerable.
Those older than 50 are the most likely to become severely ill with West Nile and should take special care to avoid mosquitoes, according to the CDC.

5. Seek medical care immediately if you have severe headaches or confusion.
If you develop symptoms of severe West Nile virus illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately, according to the CDC. Severe illness usually requires hospitalization. Milder cases improve on their own and do not necessarily require medical attention.

Copyright 2012 by CNN NewSource. All rights reserved.

Family Ties Forever! · 08-23-2012, 11:21 PM

It's been particularily bad here in TX.

Janice · 08-24-2012, 09:56 PM

Yes, I heard that most of the fatalities have been in Texas. They've been spraying pesticides at night. I heard that one huge batch of that spray contains only two tablespoons and the rest is water. That's how potent it is. Be careful Jenny.

Family Ties Forever! · 08-24-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Yes, I heard that most of the fatalities have been in Texas. They've been spraying pesticides at night. I heard that one huge batch of that spray contains only two tablespoons and the rest is water. That's how potent it is. Be careful Jenny.

Thanks Janice.

08-20-2012, 11:45 PM	#1
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	West Nile Outbreak Largest Ever In U.S. 38 States Reported Human Infections link West Nile Outbreak Largest Ever In U.S. 38 states have reported human infections Author: By Elizabeth Cohen Senior Medical Correspondent Posted: Aug 22 2012 10:37 AM CDT Updated: Aug 22 2012 11:07 PM CDT (CNN) - The recent West Nile virus outbreak is the largest ever seen in the United States, according to new numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of cases so far this year is the highest recorded through August since the disease was first detected in the United States in 1999. As of Tuesday, 38 states had reported human infections. The cases reported to the CDC as of Tuesday total 1,118, including 41 deaths. That number rose to 42 on Wednesday when a death was reported in Arkansas. "The peak of West Nile virus epidemics usually occurs in mid-August, but it takes a couple of weeks for people to get sick, go to the doctor and get reported," said Dr. Lyle Petersen, the director of the CDC's Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Division. "Thus we expect many more cases to occur." Petersen said that the reason for the high number of cases this year is unclear, but that unusually warm weather could have fostered favorable conditions for the disease's transfer to humans. About 75% of the cases are in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota and Oklahoma. Texas has been at the epicenter of the outbreak, with 586 confirmed cases and 21 deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Here are five things you need to know about West Nile virus: 1. Most mosquitoes do not carry West Nile. In areas where mosquitoes carry the virus, only about one in 500 mosquitoes is infected, according to the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program. 2. Most people bit by West Nile mosquitoes do not get sick. About 80% of people bit by a mosquito infected with the West Nile virus do not get sick, according to the CDC. About 20% will have relatively mild symptoms, such as fever, headache and vomiting. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days or as long as a few weeks. About one in 150 people infected with West Nile will develop a severe illness, which can include paralysis, coma or death. 3. You can help prevent West Nile with the "four Ds." Use mosquito repellent with DEET Dress in long pants and long sleeves Be especially careful at dusk and dawn Drain any standing water, such as kiddie pools or bird fountains, where mosquitoes like to breed. 4. People over 50 are most vulnerable. Those older than 50 are the most likely to become severely ill with West Nile and should take special care to avoid mosquitoes, according to the CDC. 5. Seek medical care immediately if you have severe headaches or confusion. If you develop symptoms of severe West Nile virus illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately, according to the CDC. Severe illness usually requires hospitalization. Milder cases improve on their own and do not necessarily require medical attention. Copyright 2012 by CNN NewSource. All rights reserved.
	__________________ Jenny Last edited by Family Ties Forever!; 08-23-2012 at 11:20 PM.

08-23-2012, 11:21 PM	#2
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	It's been particularily bad here in TX.

08-24-2012, 09:56 PM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Yes, I heard that most of the fatalities have been in Texas. They've been spraying pesticides at night. I heard that one huge batch of that spray contains only two tablespoons and the rest is water. That's how potent it is. Be careful Jenny.