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June 12, 2003 West Nile virus now part of summer in New York By Beth Quinn Times Herald-Record bquinn@th-record.com Depending on who you're listening to, West Nile virus will be: a) worse this year because all the rain is attracting mosquitoes. b) better this year because all the rain is washing the mosquito larvae away. c) bad but could be worse because drought followed by rain creates mosquito soup. d) all of the above. So, there you have it. A prediction about the coming summer's West Nile virus outbreak. It doesn't matter, though, because West Nile virus is now part of the summer landscape regardless of the weather. In the next few weeks, as mosquito season gets perking, birds, humans and some other mammals will be at risk. "The bottom line is, whether it's wet or dry, mosquitoes are always around in the summer," said Kristine Smith, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health. "And that means we're at risk for West Nile." West Nile virus, which was first identified in 1937 in Uganda, made its first appearance in the Western Hemisphere in 1999. It is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes, which feed on both humans and birds. Most people infected with West Nile never get sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But it can cause mild flu-like symptoms, and in rare cases, can produce fatal brain swelling. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are at highest risk for complications. Since 2000, when the CDC began West Nile surveillance, 111 New Yorkers have tested positive for the virus. Seven died. No human cases have been reported in Orange, Sullivan or Ulster. Dead birds that tested positive for West Nile have been found in all three counties. Thus far this spring, only one dead bird statewide has been confirmed as a West Nile case – a crow collected May 5 in Bedford, Westchester County. Because dead birds, particularly crows, are the best indicator of the presence of West Nile, all New York residents are asked to report any sightings. To report a dead bird, call the dead bird hot line in Albany at 866-537-2473 or call your local health department: Orange County, 291-2332; Sullivan, 292-0100; Ulster, 340-3046. 40 Mulberry Street * PO Box 2046 * Middletown, NY 10940 Telephone 845-341-1100 or 800-295-2181 outside the Middletown, N.Y., area. Powered by THRNewMedia.com
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