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West Nile Virus Nears Peak With Late Summer Nebraska Reports Six More Human Cases, Bringing Its Total This Year to 15.

Posted on: Thursday, 18 August 2005, 21:00 CDT

If you've avoided West Nile worries so far this summer, now might be the time to pay attention.

West Nile virus infection in the Midlands typically peaks from mid-August to Labor Day, as mosquito numbers swell and people enjoy summer's last blast.

"The next couple weeks are our highest risk period for exposure here," said Dr. Tom Safranek, Nebraska state epidemiologist.

Although Iowa reports no human West Nile cases so far, Nebraska on Wednesday reported six more human cases of the mosquito-borne virus, bringing its total to 15. Health officials said the 15 cases had been confirmed either by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory.

Safranek said none of the 15 infected has died, but 11 were sick enough to be hospitalized. Nine developed meningitis, a swelling of the tissue that covers the brain. New cases were detected in Boone, Buffalo, Furnas, Keith and Lancaster Counties. Cases previously reported were from Buffalo, Dawson, Douglas, Lancaster, Keith, Knox and Scotts Bluff Counties.

Safranek said he suspects the virus is circulating more widely than the numbers suggest because doctors are not testing people with milder symptoms. Additionally, he said, at least nine otherwise healthy blood donors have tested positive for West Nile in Nebraska.

Safranek said he will be surprised if the state doesn't have as many cases as it did last year.

Nebraska reported 54 human cases and no deaths in 2004, down from a high of 2,366 cases and 29 deaths in 2003. Iowa reported 147 cases and six deaths in 2003 but just 23 cases and two deaths in 2004.

This year, the virus also has been detected in birds in both states, horses in Nebraska and even in a dog in Keith County. Safranek said there also has been a recent swell in the number of infected mosquito pools in Nebraska.

In people, the virus usually causes flulike illness or no symptoms at all, but severe cases can cause brain damage. People older than 50 or with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable. People typically get the virus from mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds.

Precautions include emptying standing water, patching holes in screens, avoiding outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, keeping skin covered with clothing and using insect repellent containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or picaridin.

Source: Omaha World - Herald

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