Pinkgirl36
08-16-2002, 10:10 AM
Possible West Nile Virus in Colorado (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=519&ncid=716&e=5&u=/ap/20020816/ap_on_re_us/west_nile_6)
Possible West Nile Virus in Colorado
Fri Aug 16,10:14 AM ET
By JON SARCHE, Associated Press Writer
LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) - Colorado health officials said a crow and three horses have tested positive for the West Nile virus ( news - web sites) in Colorado, which would be the westernmost state to report the virus this year if the tests are confirmed.
"This has been something we have known is coming," said Dr. Ned Calonge, the state's acting chief medical officer. "Even with the presence of the virus in our state, the chances of any one person becoming seriously ill is remote."
The crow and two of the horses were in Weld County, just south of Cheyenne, Wyo. A third horse was found with the disease in southeastern Colorado.
If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( news - web sites) confirm the cases reported Thursday, Colorado would become the 38th state with cases of the mosquito-borne virus this year.
CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding has said birds and mosquitoes could spread the virus to the Pacific Coast. The CDC lists 160 confirmed or probable human cases of the disease and nine deaths so far this year.
The death toll has been the worst since the virus first appeared in the United States in 1999. From that year through 2001, the CDC confirmed 149 human cases and 18 deaths.
Most people who get the disease experience mild flulike symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can cause encephalitis, a potentially fatal swelling of the brain, especially in older people and those with weakened immune systems.
New York, which had the first U.S. cases of West Nile three years ago, reported its first human case of 2002 on Thursday. Illinois health officials reported three new human cases of the virus, all in the Chicago area.
In Indiana, a possible outbreak of the virus among horses has the area's large Amish population concerned for their animals, which they rely on for work and transportation.
About 25 horses were so ill they either died or had to be euthanized, veterinarian Robert Beard said.
"I'm kind of worried," said Indiana resident Mary Marner. "It's scary to think about. Not only for the horses, but for my family."
Possible West Nile Virus in Colorado
Fri Aug 16,10:14 AM ET
By JON SARCHE, Associated Press Writer
LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) - Colorado health officials said a crow and three horses have tested positive for the West Nile virus ( news - web sites) in Colorado, which would be the westernmost state to report the virus this year if the tests are confirmed.
"This has been something we have known is coming," said Dr. Ned Calonge, the state's acting chief medical officer. "Even with the presence of the virus in our state, the chances of any one person becoming seriously ill is remote."
The crow and two of the horses were in Weld County, just south of Cheyenne, Wyo. A third horse was found with the disease in southeastern Colorado.
If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( news - web sites) confirm the cases reported Thursday, Colorado would become the 38th state with cases of the mosquito-borne virus this year.
CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding has said birds and mosquitoes could spread the virus to the Pacific Coast. The CDC lists 160 confirmed or probable human cases of the disease and nine deaths so far this year.
The death toll has been the worst since the virus first appeared in the United States in 1999. From that year through 2001, the CDC confirmed 149 human cases and 18 deaths.
Most people who get the disease experience mild flulike symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can cause encephalitis, a potentially fatal swelling of the brain, especially in older people and those with weakened immune systems.
New York, which had the first U.S. cases of West Nile three years ago, reported its first human case of 2002 on Thursday. Illinois health officials reported three new human cases of the virus, all in the Chicago area.
In Indiana, a possible outbreak of the virus among horses has the area's large Amish population concerned for their animals, which they rely on for work and transportation.
About 25 horses were so ill they either died or had to be euthanized, veterinarian Robert Beard said.
"I'm kind of worried," said Indiana resident Mary Marner. "It's scary to think about. Not only for the horses, but for my family."