West Nile virus is here early

State and local health care officials on Friday warned that West Nile virus has been detected earlier than normal this year and that they expect it will spread beyond Southern California to the entire state by this summer.

State and local health care officials on Friday warned that West Nile virus has been detected earlier than normal this year and that they expect it will spread beyond Southern California to the entire state by this summer.On April 20, health officials confirmed that three dead crows — found in El Monte, Temple City and West Covina — had the virus. So far, 20 dead crows carrying the virus have been found in Los Angeles County this year. In the last three weeks, some infected birds were found dead in Orange, Riverside and Ventura counties.”This provides increased validation that the West Nile virus is now endemic in the bird population in the county, and we must be particularly vigilant to prevent human cases of the virus this summer,” said L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.No human cases have been reported yet in California. “We’re seeing it earlier this year and we’re likely to see more cases,” state health department spokesman Robert Miller said. “Typically, the heaviest amount of cases occur in late summer — August or September.”We’re very concerned. We’re watching its progression across the state,” he said. “We’ve found it in Ventura County, so now it’s moving up the state. The potential is there to have a lot more cases.”West Nile virus first appeared in the United States in New York in 1999 and has spread west rapidly.Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 9,858 West Nile virus cases in 2003, with 262 deaths in 45 states and Washington, D.C. The number of reported cases has more than doubled from 2002 to 2003. Three people in California who were infected last year survived.Officials in California have been preparing for the spread of the disease and public service announcements will be broadcast next week, along with the distribution of “Fight the Bite” prevention materials.”Although no human vaccine exists, there are many preventive measures the public can take to protect themselves,” said Jack Hazelrigg, general manager of the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.Mosquito control is paramount. People should eliminate any stagnant water on their property, including improperly maintained pools, buckets, dog bowls, tires and plant pots.”And by all means, don’t overwater your lawn,” Hazelrigg said.Miller recommended people wear insect repellents containing the ingredient “DEET,” which is effective against mosquitoes that carry the virus. Officials also encouraged people to avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn and at dusk, and to make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.Symptoms include headache, fever, fatigue and muscle aches.One in five people who contract West Nile virus will get sick. And about one in 150 will develop more severe neurological disorders caused by inflammation of the brain.(Source: L.A. Daily News, May 2004)