West Nile Virus Risk Low For People Despite Infected Horse In Panhandle

Source(s):
Jonathan Day jfda@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (561) 778-7200, ext. 132
Roxanne Rutledge crr@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu

VERO BEACH, Fla. — The risk of West Nile encephalitis being transmitted to people remains low, despite today’s announcement of a confirmed case of the virus in a dead horse in the Florida Panhandle, says a University of Florida medical entomologist.

“Since an infected horse has been found, it is likely that mosquitoes are indeed infected with West Nile virus in this particular region of Florida,” said Jonathan Day, professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “However, the magnitude of risk to humans likely is still low, but that could change if additional horse and bird West Nile infections are confirmed.”

Officials today announced the discovery of the infected horse in Jefferson County. The virus also turned up recently in dead crows elsewhere in the Panhandle.

“Finding West Nile-positive crows in Jefferson, Madison and Washington counties — and at least one horse case in Jefferson County — doesn’t provide enough information to enable anyone to characterize or understand the true extent of the virus in the region,” he said.

Day, based at UF’s Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach, said time will tell whether the West Nile virus is actively circulating in Northwest Florida. Infected humans, horses, domestic animals and other dead birds would provide evidence of an active infestation and risk to humans.

“We are working closely with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to identify other infected animals in the region and assess the information to evaluate risk to both humans and animals. People should learn about the virus and take precautions.”

He said Florida residents and visitors should be aware of the extent of mosquito activity in their communities and try to protect themselves during peak mosquito activity periods by wearing protective clothing and applying effective mosquito repellents.

“Residents and visitors throughout the state should remain alert to information from local health departments on West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases such as eastern equine encephalitis,” he said. “The situation is changing rapidly as new information is reported.”

Two free publications on West Nile virus, developed by Day and Roxanne Rutledge, assistant professor of entomology at the Vero Beach laboratory, are available from UF county extension offices. Updates on West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases are available from the UF Vero Beach laboratory’s Encephalitis Information System Web site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/

The publications, West Nile Virus (ENY 642), and West Nile Virus: Risk and Prevention for Horses in Florida (ENY 651) also are available on UF’s EDIS (Electronic Document Information System) Web site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in117 and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in170

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Posted: July 20, 2001


Category: UF/IFAS



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