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Communicable diseases

West Nile Virus Research Shifts to Community-Based Prevention in Roanoke, Virginia

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Public health officials in the Roanoke, Virginia area have decided to reduce research on West Nile virus this summer to focus more on community-based prevention. Richard Tabb, environmental health manager for the Roanoke and Alleghany health districts, stated that the focus on research had not been yielding significant results, given the low number of people actually contracting the virus. Despite this shift in focus, statewide research on West Nile virus continues. Epidemiologist Susan Jenkins, MD, has been collaborating with a task force focused on West Nile and other viruses, which has observed an unusual occurrence: the first three in-state cases of West Nile this year involve horses, rather than the usual first occurrence in birds.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Roanoke and Alleghany health districts have reduced research on West Nile virus to focus on community-based prevention, citing the low number of people contracting the virus.
  • Statewide research on West Nile virus continues, with epidemiologist Susan Jenkins, MD, collaborating with a task force to understand the disease.
  • The task force has observed an unusual occurrence: the first three in-state cases of West Nile this year involve horses, rather than the usual first occurrence in birds.
  • In its most severe cases, the virus can cause headache, body aches, and brain inflammation, which can be fatal.
  • Fewer than 1% of people bitten by a virus-carrying mosquito will experience anything more than flu-like symptoms.
  • West Nile virus first appeared in the Western Hemisphere in 1999, killing seven people and bringing severe illness to 62 others in New York City.
  • In 2002, the virus appeared in Virginia, infecting 28 people and killing 2.
  • The Roanoke health district is targeting urban areas and heavily populated counties for prevention efforts.
  • Residents are being educated on the proper methods for preventing the spread of West Nile virus through the distribution of informative materials.

Statistics:

  • Fewer than 1% of people bitten by a virus-carrying mosquito will experience anything more than flu-like symptoms.
  • West Nile virus has killed a total of 9 people in Virginia since its appearance in 1999 (7 in 1999 and 2 in 2002).
  • The virus has infected a total of 68 people in New York City and Virginia since its appearance in 1999 (62 in 1999 and 28 in 2002, and an additional 2 in 2002).
  • The Roanoke health district is targeting urban areas and heavily populated counties for prevention efforts.
  • The first three in-state cases of West Nile this year involve horses, rather than the usual first occurrence in birds.

Sources:

  • NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net, "Public health officials reduce West Nile virus research" (July 26, 2004)
  • Malaria Weekly, "West Nile virus research shifts to community-based prevention" (Copyright 2004, Malaria Weekly via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net)

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