West Nile Virus

West Nile disease have frightenen many people in America because this diseases history that ever happened last time. West nile virus merge again since last month in America, and the people and health of department involvel on preventing this diseases become spread over the US country.

The following year, the state's first human cases and deaths from West Nile disease were recorded and all but two of the state's 102 counties eventually reported a positive human, bird, mosquito or horse. By the end of 2002, Illinois had counted more human cases (884) and deaths (67) than any other state in the United States. In 2003, the epicenter of West Nile disease moved westward. Colorado reported the highest number of cases (2,947), easily surpassing the caseload record for the mosquito-borne disease set the previous year by Illinois. The number of West Nile human cases in Illinois fell dramatically with just 54 reported and only one death. Illinois' caseload in 2004 was slightly higher than the previous year with 60 reported cases and four deaths. In 2005, Illinois recorded 252 cases and 12 deaths, both totals the second highest in the nation to California’s 880 cases and 19 deaths, and in 2006, there were 215 cases and 10 deaths reported, the sixth highest number of cases in the U.S.

West Nile virus first found in Africa about in West Nile River. Even though it was discovered all the way back in 1937 in Africa, the West Nile virus probably didn't make its way to the United States until 1999.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 15,000 people in the U.S. have tested positive for WNV infection since 1999, including over 500 deaths. Many more people have likely been infected with WNV, but have experienced mild or no symptoms.

Symptoms of West Nile virus really depend on the person who becomes infected. Kids with normal immune systems, the system of the body that fights off disease and infection, usually get just a mild "flu-like" illness and may not feel bad at all with the infection.
The West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 and has since rapidly spread across the North American continent into all 48 continental states, seven Canadian provinces, and throughout Mexico. In addition, WNV activity has been detected in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guadeloupe and El Salvador.

West Nile virus is caused by a bite from an infected mosquito that's already carrying the virus, but it's important to remember that not all mosquitoes are infected. In many parts of the United States, the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito is greatest from July to early September. But in some parts of the country, mosquito bites can be a risk all year long. Not everyone who gets bitten by an infected mosquito will get the virus. And although kids can get West Nile virus, it's rare for them to become very sick from it.

Statistically, a person's risk of contracting West Nile is low, and less than 1% of those infected develop serious illness from the virus. Those at highest risk for serious illness are the elderly and those with lowered immune systems. However, people of all ages can develop serious illness, so it is important for everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites to minimize the risk of infection.

Good Prevention Action:
Eliminate sources of standing water in your yard where mosquitoes may lay eggs. Fill, cover or remove any items that can trap water. Common mosquito breeding containers include:

1. Change the water at least once or twice a week, cleaning the bath on a regular basis
2. Ponds - consider purchasing mosquito-eating fish if the pond is serving as a mosquito breeding site and cannot be drained.
3. Buried every unused goods not use that can keep water inside.

Those effort is try to cut the mosquito live cycle. The live cycle of mosquito can see here Mosquito Life Cycle