West Nile virus

NEW YORK, July 28 (Praxis Press) In late August 1999, an outbreak of encephalitis caused by West Nile virus (WNV) was detected in New York City and in neighboring counties. As a result, in May 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidelines and provided funds to support mosquito-control and risk-reduction campaigns and surveillance in 19 states where WNV transmission had occurred or would likely occur. A new report by the CDC states that from May 6 through July 8, 2000, WNV infections were found in 26 birds from five counties in New York and New Jersey, but no cases of human or equine infection were reported in the region or in surrounding states. The CDC recommends that those areas where local transmission of WNV may have occurred should continue surveillance, mosquito larval control, and public education and outreach. Counties where WNV transmission occurred in...