Arizona still the hot spot for West Nile

Robert Roos
Meningitis
West Nile

Jul 2, 2004 (CIDRAP News) – Arizona continues to bear most of the current burden of West Nile virus (WNV) infections, with 38 of the 57 human cases reported nationwide, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

One of the Arizona cases was fatal. Cases in other states included 10 in California, 3 in New Mexico, 2 in Florida, and 1 each in Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming, the CDC reports in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The numbers were cases reported to the CDC as of Jun 29.

The CDC classified 35 of the 57 cases as neuroinvasive disease, meaning severe infections involving meningitis or encephalitis, according to the agency's WNV Web site. Nineteen cases were listed as West Nile fever, and three cases were unclassified.

The case numbers reported by the CDC are lower in some cases than the numbers reported by states on their health department Web sites. For example, the Arizona Department of Health Services today reports 57 human WNV cases, rather than 38. Colorado, which is not mentioned in the MMWR report, is reporting seven cases.

CDC spokesman Llelwyn Grant said there can be a lag between when the states report cases and when the CDC compiles and publishes the numbers. The states report cases through the ArboNet electronic surveillance system. "It's not atypical for the states to be a little ahead of this system," Grant told CIDRAP News. "They often will announce cases ahead of CDC and then we'll eventually reflect them in the ArboNet case count system."

Grant said the CDC is updating its WNV case count once a week in this early stage of the WNV season. Later in the season the agency typically updates the numbers more often, so the numbers will probably track more closely what the states announce, he said.

The total of 57 cases reported by the CDC this week is an increase of 25 since last week. The number of blood donors with evidence of WNV in their blood remained at 13, the same as last week. Twelve of the donors were in Arizona and one was in New Mexico.

The CDC says 23 states have reported a total of 760 dead crows and 85 other dead birds with WNV infection, and 11 states have reported 42 WNV infections in horses.

See also:

CDC. West Nile virus activity—United States, June 23-29, 2004. MMWR 2004;53(25):563 [Full text]

CDC West Nile case count
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&controlCaseCount04_detailed.htm

CDC West Nile main page
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

This week's top reads

  1. US measles total climbs to 800 cases, 10 outbreaks

    As more states report outbreaks, the country is well on track to reach the most cases since measles was eliminated in 2000.

    Lisa Schnirring
    young boy measles fever

  2. Vietnam reports H5N1 avian flu case with encephalitis

    Tests on respiratory samples were negative, but results were positive for the cerebrospinal fluid sample.

    Lisa Schnirring
    ICU monitors

  3. Five people, 27 animals tested positive for tularemia in Minnesota last year

    Two of the infected people reported recently mowing over animal carcasses.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Tick

  4. Studies detail high rates of long COVID among healthcare, dental workers

    The most common symptom reported by healthcare workers was fatigue.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    health worker in mask

  5. CIDRAP launches Vaccine Integrity Project to help safeguard US vaccine use

    The steering committee will make recommendations on how non-governmental groups can help ensure that vaccine use is evidence-based.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    MMR vaccine vial on table

  6. Public ignorance, apathy toward avian flu could threaten containment, researchers say

    Only about a quarter of survey respondents knew H5N1 can spread to people, and over half were unaware that pasteurized milk is safer than raw milk.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Two chickens at food trough

  7. Quick takes: Mpox outbreak in Malawi, more H5N1 in Idaho and California dairy cows

    The cases in Malawi bring the number of African countries affected by mpox to 23.

    Lisa Schnirring

  8. New agreement geared toward universal avian flu vaccine

    The mRNA vaccine targets all major clades of the H5 avian flu subtype.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  9. Tick-borne meat allergy may be related to urbanization in mid-Atlantic US

    The study identified open-space development and low population density as risk factors for Alpha-gal syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Lone star tick

  10. Poll finds false measles claims gaining attention amid US outbreaks

    Though confidence in the vaccine remains high, KFF found that misinformation is sowing more doubts.

    Lisa Schnirring
    woman scrolling on phone

Our underwriters