WEST NILE VIRUS
AN INDEPENDANT REVIEW
2 0 0 7
West Nile Virus
updates
Because of the broad host and vector range,
the virus has become established in much of the region,
there is little chance that it will be eliminated.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17879923&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
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Persistent movement disorders, cognitive complaints, and functional disability may occur after West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
Although further assessment is needed, the long-term neurological and functional sequelae of WNV infection are likely to represent a considerable source of morbidity in patients long after their recovery from acute illness.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17516407&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Fetus update
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17915414&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
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Regional epidemics in equines and humans typically have included a year of viral introduction with minimal activity, successful overwintering, explosive amplification to epidemic levels the following year and then rapid subsidence.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17373672&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://frontiers.ucdavis.edu/5a.html
http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/sources/west_nile.lasso
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Understanding the epidemiological, biological, and geographical aspects of WNv is critical to developing a greater understanding of how newly emerging, migrating, or evolving vector-borne infectious disease can develop globally
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17470917&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
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Stemming from the realisation that zoonotic diseases are the predominant source of human emerging infectious diseases, it behoves academic, public health, and animal health agencies to consider creative constructive approaches to combat serious public health challenges.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17633303&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
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WEST NILE VIRUS
Bird migratory pathways and WNV’s recent advance
westward across the U.S. and Canada are key factors in WNV
and must be considered in future assessments of the role of temperature in WNV dynamics
(read 14.2.5)
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-chapter14.pdf
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2007 West Nile Virus
Human Neuroinvasive Disease
Incidence in the United States
(Reported to CDC as of October 30, 2007)
Human Neuroinvasive Disease
Incidence in the United States
(Reported to CDC as of October 30, 2007)
West Nile virus maps reflect surveillance reports released by state and local health departments to CDC's ArboNET system for public distribution. Map shows the distribution of human neuroinvasive disease (encephalitis and/or meningitis) incidence occurring during 2007 with number of human cases shaded according to incidences ranging from .01 to 9.99, 10 to 99.99, greater than 100 per million population, and WNV activity (human, mosquito, veterinary, avian and sentinel data)
http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov
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WEST NILE VIRUS
in the
WORK PLACE
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/westnile/
______________
C D C
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
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West Nile virus update
United States, January 1-October 16, 2007.
This report summarizes 2007 West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance data reported to CDC through ArboNET as of 3 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, October 16, 2007. A total of 42 states have reported 3,022 cases of human WNV illness to CDC. A total of 1,646 (55%) cases for which such data were available occurred in males; median age of patients was 51 years (range: 15 months-97 years). Dates of illness onset ranged from January 8 to October 9;
a total of 76 cases were fatal.
underreporting - non/reporting
a factor in actual counts
+ + + + + +
California
Human data is updated every Tuesday and Friday by 4pm
YTD: 367 Counties: 30
There have been 7 new WNV positive human cases reported in California last week
from the following counties: Kern (2), Orange (1), Sacramento (2), San Bernardino (1), and Stanislaus (1). There have been 16 WNV-related fatalities reported in California this year from Colusa (1), Fresno (1), Kern (4), Kings (1), Los Angeles (3), Riverside (3), Sacramento (1), San Joaquin (1), and Tulare (1) counties.
367 human cases from 30 counties have tested positive for WNV in 2007.
http://www.westnile.ca.gov/
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Louisanna
November 16, 2007
According to the most recent West Nile virus report issued
by the Department of Health and Hospitals
of the 44 total cases, 25 are the more serious, neuroinvasive disease
11 are West Nile fever
there are eight from people who did not feel ill
and did not know they had an infection.
These cases are typically detected through blood donations or through routine medical tests
http://www.dhh.state.la.us/news.asp?Detail=1304
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any search engine will help you check listing for your state
Nov 12
Trying to catch up on months of correspondence and researching past
links,threads,newspapers,etc.etc; in the process of rebuilding
anindependantreview.org
it is heartbreaking to see the tally sheets grow in number
knowing what these newly afflicted people have to face
Getting
the word out
PREVENTION
It can not be stressed enough!
the numbers of infections grow daily
The human cost is insurmountable
West Nile Virus is nothing compared to what is coming
Everyday it appears another "Infectious Disease" has taken a life
thousands that are infected and affected
Still, I am seeking the attention this disease must obtain
Knowing that half the battle is
getting the medical community to comprehend
the importance of advising patients the complete effects of this infection
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Inform patients and their families of case fatality rates
Advise patients about the possible risk factors for death and poor neurological outcomes
Discuss the prognosis
Educate patients about contribution of possible risk factors
such as age, co-morbidity to rehabilitation efforts
Educate patients about the need for supportive physical and occupational therapy
Educate patients about continued need for protection against mosquitos
Inform eligible patients and/or families about potential enrollment in clinical trials
advice from the American College of Physicians
I can only urge all
pass the information on in any way you can
ENCEPHALITIS
victims/survivors list is growing daily
Somehow, there is a way to get this communicated to those who have yet to become infected
the more information shared
the better the opportunity that the "right" person will get the message passed thru to a bigger ear
with the message encephalitis disables and kills there are only supportive treatments available
medically - physically - emotionally
Advise - Help
Information - Support Groups
EncephalitisGlobal.com
email to: encephgroup@aol.com
SURVIVORS PLUS-http://eglobal.ning.com/
http://www.encephalitis.info/
Encephalitis Cases
http://www.1halloween.net/encephalitis/index.html
http://www.westnilesurvivor.com/
http://westnilesurvivors.com/index.html
http://p102.ezboard.com/bwestnilevirussurvivorsfoundation
if you know of any other groups that relate to
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
PLEASE CONTACT ANYONE OF THESE WEBSITES
or email to this site's address posted above
~
08-06
West Nile Brain Damage Common?
Perhaps the most chilling findings came from psychological and neurological tests.
Among the patients whose West Nile illness wasn't severe enough to put them in the hospital, 15% had moderate-to-severe impairment of executive function. That's the ability to plan, inhibit behavior, and pay sustained attention.
More alarming was the finding that nearly 70% of the patients had abnormal results on a finger-tapping test to look at motor speed. In 43% of the patients, this impairment was severe. These patients were more likely to suffer depression than were the other patients. Despite these problems, most of the patients were able to return to a "reasonable level" of daily function. This may be why previous studies -- which mostly looked for disabilities -- find more positive long-term outcomes for West Nile virus infection. Carson and colleagues suggest West Nile fever "is not a self-limited benign illness, as previously thought." They suggest it may be a brain infection that leaves behind long-lasting damage. West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes. There's no treatment or cure for the infection, so avoiding mosquito bites is the best way to deal with West Nile disease.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=63637
~ ~
Ribavirin (Copegus®; Rebetol®; Ribasphere®; Vilona®,Virazole®, also generics from Sandoz, Teva, Warrick) is an anti-viral drug which is active against a number of DNA and RNA viruses. It is a member of the nucleoside antimetabolite drugs that interfere with duplication of viral genetic material. Though not effective against all viruses, ribavirin is remarkable as a small molecule for its wide range of activity, including important activities against influenzas, flaviviruses and agents of many viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Ribavirin is active against other important flaviviridae such as West Nile virus and dengue fever.
In Mexico, oral ribavirin has been available since the 1980s as an over-the-counter drug ("ribavirina," ICN pharmaceuticals Spanish tradename Vilona®), for treating influenza.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribavirin
~ ~ ~
from the perspective of a person who has
WNND
(west nile neuroinvasive disease)
WHY
this type of
PREVENTION
is not utilized in the US
would the benefits not out weigh the side-effects
Survivors of encephalitis commonly experience neurologic consequences
which can be very long-term and even permanent.
The degree and type of brain damage can vary from mild-to-severe and from focal (in one part of the brain) to multifocal (several parts of the brain) to diffuse (throughout the brain).
The location and severity of the infection largely determines the pattern of brain damage
and therefore its effects
which can be
- Physical (muscle control)
- Behavioral and emotional (personality changes)
- Cognitive (memory, speech)
- Sensory (vision, hearing)
- Some patients who experience memory problems and personality changes afterward describe their condition as being an "invisible disease." They appear to be normal to others, but they are plagued with forgetfulness and lapses in attention that has a considerable affect on the quality of their daily lives.
- Helpful support groups are now available on the Internet.
THERE IS NO CURE, THERE IS ONLY SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT
MEDICALLY-PHYSICALLY- EMOTIONALLY
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_encephalitis_000096_5.htm
11-03-07
these reports are within the last 15 days
Jackson, Miss.
*
Des Moines, IA
*
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
*
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
****
in the last 2 months
several states have added counts of
INFECTED
and
DEATHS
UTAH,KENTUCKY,INDIANA,MARYLAND,MASSACHUSETTS,OHIO,WISCONSIN,NEBRASKA,MISSISSIPPI
ALABAMA,ILLIONIS,NEW YORK
* * further listings thruout US * *
http://upge.wn.com/?pagenum=1&AUTH_USERNAME=None&language_id=1&search_type=head
_all&search_string=west nile virus&sort_type=nwf&template=cheetah-search-adv/index.txt&action=search&corpus=recent&auth_username=None
CANADA
reports record numbers
September 07
So far this summer, 1,790 people have become infected with West Nile.
West Nile Causes Severe Nerve Problems
Muscle Weakness, Numbness, Tingling Linked to West Nile Virus
By: Jeanie Lerche Davis
Reviewed by: Dr. Michael Smith MD – 03-31-03
March 31, 2003 -- West Nile virus, which reached epidemic numbers last year, has caused polio-like symptoms -- even death -- in some who have contracted the virus. Two reports on this pattern were presented today at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in Honolulu.
West Nile virus, which is generally transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, is usually a relatively mild infection. About 20% of those infected develop West Nile fever, which has mild, flu-like symptoms, a skin rash, and swollen glands. West Nile fever typically lasts only a few days and does not have any long-term health effects.
The more severe form of the disease -- West Nile encephalitis or meningitis -- develops in less than 1% of people infected with the virus. It has symptoms of high fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation, seizures, coma, and vision problems. About 6% of people with West Nile encephalitis died during the summer of 2002, the CDC reports.
In one report, Mississippi researchers discuss autopsy results of four people who died after developing polio-like symptoms after West Nile virus infection. Their report provides further evidence that West Nile virus can cause the polio-like symptoms of muscle weakness, acute paralysis, and impaired breathing, says lead researcher Jonathan Fratkin, MD, of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
"As we head into another season with this virus, it's very important for doctors to recognize that people with symptoms of sudden muscle weakness or paralysis could have West Nile virus," he says in a news release.
In some cases, the symptoms have been misdiagnosed and patients have been given treatments that could have been harmful or even life-threatening.
"These were difficult cases, because West Nile virus had not previously caused these types of symptoms, and the symptoms were similar to that of another neurological disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome," Fratkin adds.
Fratkin and colleagues have seen eight cases of polio-like paralysis due to West Nile virus, and several other cases have been reported around the country.
The four autopsies performed showed that the West Nile virus infected the same nerve cells that are affected in polio. The autopsies also ruled out other causes of the symptoms, such as lack of blood flow or oxygen to the brain.
However, the patients did not have signs of West Nile virus in their blood at the time of death, Fratkin reports. "Enough time had elapsed between when these people became sick and when they died, and they had been showing improvement before they died, so it's possible that the virus was gone from their bodies. Another possibility is that our tests are not sensitive enough to detect the virus."
West Nile virus can survive in blood used in transfusions, he adds. "Doctors should consider West Nile virus as a cause of sudden muscle weakness or paralysis that occurs in people who have recently had a blood transfusion or an organ transplant."
The second report from the meeting looked at Illinois, which had 836 cases of West Nile virus infections, more than any other state, points out lead researcher Nidhi K. Watson, MD, of Rush Medical Center in Chicago.
Watson and colleagues outline the pattern of symptoms seen in Illinois: vision loss, muscle weakness, paralysis of one-half of the body, abnormally slow movement, tremor, difficulty bending joints, numbness or tingling, and difficulty walking.
Detailed analysis of 28 cases from three hospitals between August and October 2002 revealed that 54% of patients with West Nile virus had symptoms that mimicked other neurological diseases, like stroke, Parkinson's, Bell's palsy, polio, and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The other cases were similar to meningitis or encephalitis, but without muscle weakness.
Computer Aid Sought
to find virus cure
Researcher plans a PC network
to analyze how to attack West Nile.
By Carrie Peyton Dahlberg - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:12 am PDT Thursday, August 23, 2007
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B4
For those who want to do more than wear mosquito repellant and drain standing water, researchers are offering a new way to fight West Nile virus: Volunteer your computer to help seek a cure. A project that will use personal computers to analyze key vulnerabilities of the virus is being launched this week, the latest in a string of scientific and medical research harnessing the Internet.
All rely on the same, simple idea: borrowing a little time from a lot of idle computers.
"If millions of us around the world are able to join up and provide this kind of computing power, we really can make a difference," said Clark Kelso, Gov. Schwarzenegger's chief adviser on information technology. The West Nile effort may hold a special appeal for communities like Sacramento, where pesticide spraying to combat the virus has been a polarizing issue. "It would be a big boost for us" if a treatment could be found some day for West Nile diseases, said Gary Goodman, assistant manager of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. California health officials report eight deaths linked to West Nile virus so far this year, and 137 cases of humans infected with the virus. The Sacramento-Yolo district has reported four human cases, and the governor has listed the area as "high risk" for the virus. While a treatment might not change the vector district's surveillance and prevention work, Goodman said, "it would be a great thing for public health."
Every department of state government should seriously consider letting employees sign up for such public interest computing, which has no impact on a computer's primary tasks, said Kelso. For years, Kelso has opened up his home and work computers to everything from AIDS research to the search for extraterrestrial life, but the West Nile project carries a poignant, personal connection.
His wife's sister was hospitalized for nine months, much of the time on a respirator, with West Nile encephalitis.
"Until it hits close to you, you don't fully appreciate what can happen," said Kelso, whose sister-in-law is now recovering slowly at home in Nevada. Most people bitten by a mosquito that carries West Nile virus never know it, but some develop intense flu-like symptoms and a few come down with encephalitis, meningitis or paralysis. For a tiny minority, the disease is fatal. Researchers have zeroed in on a few compounds that stop growth of the virus in lab dishes, and some are being tested on mice, said Stan Watowich, a biochemistry professor at the University of Texas. Yet in the effort to develop new drugs, a few promising compounds are not enough, he said. Some may turn out to have dangerous side effects in humans. Others may attack one form of a virus but leave a variant unscathed.
Watowich and fellow researchers are hoping their new Internet project will identify dozens more compounds that could attack a protein in viruses that cause West Nile, dengue fever, yellow fever, hepatitis C and other diseases. They are focusing on a protein critical to the viruses' replication. Computers will be used to model how that protein reacts to a vast electronic library of other molecules. Those that bind most tightly to the protein's active site will essentially disable it, preventing the virus from reproducing. Watowich estimates the analysis will require comparing about 6.5 million molecules to 50 different variants of the protein. Such comparisons "would take dozens and dozens of years on very large computers," assuming researchers could even get that much supercomputer time, he said.
Yet because the work can be broken into millions of separate tasks, it can be shared by computers everywhere, each taking on one comparison at a time. With that approach, dubbed "Discovering Dengue Drugs -- Together," Watowich figures the whole thing should take about a year. He and others who use such "distributed" or "grid" computing to aid drug discovery stress that it is only the first step. It produces leads that can be followed up in laboratory, animal and human testing. "Drug design is a process that takes 10 or 15 years," said Vijay Pande, a Stanford chemistry and structural biology professor who developed a large, well-known Internet project to model protein-folding behavior. "Computational work can speed a lot of it, but it can't speed all of it. It can maybe speed the first five years," said Pande. His ongoing "Folding @ Home" project hasn't yet led to a cure for Alzheimer's or other protein-folding diseases, but has generated about 50 scholarly papers and some particularly promising leads, Pande said. Grid computing is too young to have produced success stories in health care, but "I expect that it will lead to discoveries," said Peter Lyster, a federal specialist in bioinformatics at the National Institute of General Medical Services, a branch of the NIH.
For a computer user, getting involved starts with going to a Web site for any of the dozens of different grid computing projects and downloading a small software program. The programs can run a little like a screensaver, kicking in only when the user is away at lunch or at a meeting. Or they can be configured to work quietly in the background when users are doing something simple, such as word processing, that demands only a fraction of the computer's brainpower. Such programs send in results and get new problems to solve via the Internet, which might briefly slow down someone with a dial-up connection, said Texas professor Watowich. As far as security goes, "if they're done properly, they're as safe as anything else," said Matt Bishop, a computer science professor at UC Davis who recently helped investigate vulnerabilities of electronic voting. Many projects are affiliated with major universities, and a handful, including the dengue-West Nile effort, are hosted by IBM, which says it hires its own security staff to keep things safe.
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see related sites: West Nile Virus
www.acponline.org
these to name a few. there are many more.
research any and all locations listed and look for Infectious Diseases, West Nile Virus or
Portal - Flaviviridae viruses.
