West Nile Is Out There -- Right Now

Aug. 20, 2004 -- It's code red time for West Nile virus, says CDC director Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH.

West Nile virus now blankets the nation. You're more likely to be bitten by bloodsucking, disease-carrying mosquitoes in August and September. So it's more important now than ever before to fight the bite.

"August and September really are the hot months," Gerberding tells WebMD. "This is the fifth anniversary since the first West Nile case in New York. Since that time we have learned over and over again how serious it is."

Yes, many lucky people who get West Nile virus don't get sick. Many others aren't so lucky. Last year, there were 264 deaths. Nearly 3,000 people got serious nervous system infections -- including a disabling, polio-like syndrome.

So far this year, there have been about 20 deaths and 253 cases of nervous system infection. But that's just the tip of the iceberg as we head into peak West Nile season.

"Actually, we have more cases this year than we did at the same time last year," Gerberding says. "Part of the reason for that is that in Arizona it started earlier than it normally does. That is because it's warmer and the mosquitoes breed earlier in the year. So the epidemic took off."

West Under Attack

West Nile last year made its way across the continental U.S. But this is it's first big year in California -- and after starting in the southern part of the state, the virus is marching north.

"The concern at this moment is the west coast, because they are experiencing a very serious outbreak," Gerberding says. "And we have had the first case in northern California, so it's likely we'll see this problem move up the coast into Oregon and possibly Washington. An awful lot of people live along the West Coast of our country."

Arizona and Southern California have been hit early and hit hard by this year's epidemic, with no end in sight. What keeps Gerberding awake at night is the fact that these areas are full of over-50 retired people -- the population most at risk of serious West Nile disease and death.

"We worry that there are many vulnerable people who ... get the bite and develop the deadly neurological complications," Gerberding says. "Those who are most vulnerable are the elderly or very young children or those with suppressed immune systems. Parts of the country that are the hotbed of West Nile activity this year are those with a disproportionate number of elderly people who are retired and outdoors -- and also very young people."

But states on the East Coast have plenty of West Nile virus, too. It's no time to let down one's guard just because you live east of the Mississippi. For example, Florida is already reported nine cases of West Nile nervous system infection and one death.