NurseWeek

West Nile virus keeps Baltimore, N.Y. on edge

By Tim Bergling
September 26, 2000


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Washington (H24N). It’s a tale of two cities at different stages in the battle against West Nile virus: Baltimore readies a massive strike against virus-carrying mosquitoes, while New Yorkers cross their fingers, hoping the worst of this year’s outbreak is over.

Maryland health officials confirm a dead crow found in Baltimore’s Federal Hill district was infected with the virus. That’s prompted a major spray action planned for Wednesday morning in a 2-mile wide area that includes Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the city’s Inner Harbor. Officials had planned to spray over the weekend, but rainy weather – which dilutes the effectiveness of the insecticide – has caused some delays.

Officials say the West Nile hotline has been inundated with calls over the weekend from residents in fear of the virus, or from residents who have come upon dead birds and want them tested. Three infected birds have been found so far this year in Maryland, but no West Nile-positive mosquitoes have been detected, and there have been no human cases.

That’s not the story in New York, where 11 cases of human infection have been confirmed. In 1999 62 people, most of them from the New York area, fell ill from the virus, which is spread to humans by mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds. Seven of those human cases were fatal, but all of this year’s victims appear to have recovered.

About one in 300 people becomes seriously ill from exposure to West Nile, and symptoms include fever, severe headaches, eye pain, drowsiness, muscle weakness or enlargement of the lymph nodes. The virus can lead to meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, and can also cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain itself. The elderly and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk; officials are backing away from earlier guidelines putting children on the at-risk list, since all of this year’s cases have been among the elderly.

Even with 11 recorded cases, New York health officials are beginning to believe the worst of the outbreak is behind them. They credit a massive eradication program and public education campaign with keeping the virus in check. The first freeze of autumn, which would for all practical purposes signal the end of the mosquito season, may be only days or weeks away.

Until that freeze takes hold, residents should remain cautious. "It is important that New Yorkers who are at the highest risk for serious illness from West Nile virus – that is, people age 50 and older – continue to take precautions," said State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello. "Anytime you are outdoors, dress in clothing that will provide maximum protection from biting insects and, after reading and following the instructions for application, use an insect repellent containing DEET, to help prevent mosquito bites."