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The first human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) for the year have been reported. Mississippi and Arizona both have one confirmed human case of the disease and according to the CDC, California is reporting WNV in birds and Alabama has a confirmed equine case. West Nile virus, generally a mild disease, can result in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) and death in humans and horses.

The virus is contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito and mainly infects birds, but can infect other warm blooded creatures, including humans. While most prevalent in mid- to late summer, WNV can occur at any time that mosquitoes are active. With varying weather patterns, some states can have mosquitoes and the likelihood of cases of WNV both early and late in the year.

The disease was first isolated in 1937 from an adult woman in the West Nile District of Uganda. Infections were confirmed in Egypt in the 1950s, and during 1957 WNV was recognized as a cause of severe human meningitis or encephalitis in elderly patients during an outbreak in Israel. Egypt and France had equine WNV early in the 1960s. The disease was recognized in North America in 1999 with encephalitis reported in humans and horses. As of 2007, only 5 of the contiguous United States and the District of Columbia have reported no human cases. These locations do have cases of horse, bird, and mosquito infections.

According to the CDC, as of March 4, 2008 the total number of cases of West Nile virus reported for 2007 was 3,598, with 121 resulting in death. In 1999, the first year statistics were kept on the disease in the United States, there were 62 reported cases and 7 deaths. The highest number of cases was reported in 2003 with 9,862 confirmed cases and 264 deaths. The number of cases in 1999 was small, but the percentage of deaths in 1999 and 2001 were higher than in any year since. The higher percentage of deaths in those years may have been because it was a relatively new disease, the public was not fully aware of the possibility of infection, and health care professionals may not have been looking for the disease because the early symptoms are similar to many other disorders.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, headaches, tiredness, and body aches. There may also be a rash associated with the virus. In a normal healthy adult these symptoms usually only last for a few days, but in an individual with a compromised immune system the disease may advance to high fever and other symptoms with could cause permanent neurological damage. According to the CDC, 4 out of 5 people will have no symptoms, even if infected with the virus.

State health departments are very aware of the potential threat from this virus, and keep the public informed of the incidence of the disease. California monitors for the disease by using "sentinels," caged chickens which are then tested for WNV. Pennsylvania plans an aggressive effort to monitor and control mosquitoes this summer. Other states have control and monitoring systems in place or in the planning stage.

No matter what the state or region does to protect citizens from WNV there is still a very real threat of West Nile virus. Protective steps that can be taken by individuals to lessen the probability of contracting the disease include:

• Remove sources of standing water.
• Avoid mosquito prone areas.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Apply mosquito repellent according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Notify wildlife agencies of significant numbers of dead birds around feeders or roosts so they can be tested.
• Horse owners should be sure their animals have proper veterinary care.
• Those who raise poultry should report any unusual flock deaths for testing.

It is unlikely that the mosquito population will ever be completely controlled and since there is presently no vaccine for WNV each person must be proactive in personal and family protection. Seek medical advice if you or your family have mosquito bites and exhibit symptoms of the disease.