LYCOS RETRIEVER 
West Nile Virus: United States
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- West Nile Virus is a reportable disease in the state of Illinois. The Illinois Department of Agriculture should be contacted (217/782-4944) when the disease is suspected or confirmed in domestic animals, poultry, or wild animals in captivity.
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West Nile Virus has recently emerged in North America as a threat to both public and animal health. Below is a list of resources on disease transmission, susceptibility, and prevention. Also listed are details regarding federal, state, and local government actions in assisting with disease surveillance and control.
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West Nile Virus (WNV) infects mosquitos, which can transfer it to humans, birds, horses and other animals. It is common in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East, and since 1999 it has been found in the United States.
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In Illinois, West Nile virus was first identified in September 2001 when laboratory tests confirmed its presence in two dead crows found in the Chicago area. 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.
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West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging infectious disease that made its first appearance in the United States in 1999. The microbe that causes the infection belongs to a group of disease-causing viruses known as flaviviruses that are usually spread by ticks or mosquitoes. Other well-known diseases caused by flaviviruses include yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, and Saint Louis encephalitis.
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Prior to 1999, no West Nile virus cases had been reported in the United States. During the 1999 encephalitis outbreak, there were 62 diagnosed human cases and seven deaths. In 2000, there were 21 diagnosed human cases and two deaths. However many infected people showed mild flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. In 2001, there were 66 diagnosed cases and nine deaths. In 2002, there were 4161 diagnosed cases and 277 deaths across the United States (62 diagnosed cases and nine deaths in PA).
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