Mississippi reports 9 cases of West Nile Virus

Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) confirms seven new human cases of West Nile virus (WNV), bringing the total for 2015 to 35 cases. The new cases were reported in Copiah, Hinds (2), Madison, Rankin (2) and Yazoo counties.

So far this year, cases have been reported in Adams, Attala, Copiah, Covington, Forrest (2), Hinds (9), Lauderdale, Madison (5), Marion, Montgomery, Rankin (7), Simpson (2), Washington and Yazoo (2) counties. One death has been reported in Attala County.

The MSDH only reports laboratory-confirmed cases to the public. In 2014, Mississippi had 43 WNV cases and seven deaths.

Symptoms of WNV infection are often mild and may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes. In a small number of cases, infection can result in encephalitis or meningitis, which can lead to paralysis, coma and possibly death.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs reminds Mississippians that though the majority of WNV cases are reported in August and September, it is still important to protect yourself.

The MSDH suggests the following precautions to protect yourself and your environment from mosquito-borne illnesses:

• Use a recommended mosquito repellent that contains DEET while you are outdoors.
• Remove all sources of standing water around your home and yard to prevent mosquito breeding.
• Wear loose, light-colored, long clothing to cover the arms and legs when outdoors.
• Avoid areas where mosquitoes are prevalent.

For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the MSDH website at www.HealthyMS.com/westnile.

Health Research:Developing a better flu vaccine ♦ Sleep-related treatment targets for fibromyalgia ♦ Keep up your guard for West Nile virus

Places with more marijuana dispensaries have more marijuana-related hospitalizations People who live in areas of California with a higher density of marijuana dispensaries experience a greater number of hospitalizations involving marijuana abuse and dependence.

Developing a better flu vaccine Researchers say they have developed a method that could make a nasal spray flu vaccine effective for those under two and over 49 -- two groups for which the vaccine is not approved.

Keep up your guard for West Nile virus Researchers continue to study ways to nip the West Nile virus in the bud and monitor its spread by tracking rainfall, groundwater levels, mosquito abundance, wild bird populations and virus transmission to animals including horses and sentinel chickens. Researchers use these data to track the virus transmission between mosquitoes and wild birds, noting when mosquito infection rates reach the levels that can infect humans

Researchers identify potential sleep-related treatment targets for fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic pain from no clear source. Patients with fibromyalgia frequently have sleep problems: Their deep sleep brainwave patterns are often disrupted by brain waves that correspond to wakefulness. A new study uses a novel approach to identify potential drug targets for treating fibromyalgia.

Contrary to previous studies, diabetes affects diaphragm, smooth muscle cells differently Previous studies have shown that diabetes adversely affects breathing and respiratory function. However, in the past, researchers have not differentiated diaphragm muscle cells and the muscle cells of limb skeletal muscle in their studies. Now, researchers have found that diaphragm muscle cells and other skeletal muscle cells behave differently -- a finding that could influence future research on respiratory ailments associated with diabetes.

West Nile virus : Time to wear Mosquito repellent

West Nile virus (WNV) activity reported to CDC, by state — United States, 2015 (as of 28 July 2015)

West Nile virus (WNV) is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. You can reduce your risk of being infected with WNV by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness.

State	Neuro-invasive	Fever	Total	Deaths	WNV +Blood Donors
Alabama	1	0	1	0	0
Arizona	3	2	5	0	10
California	1	0	1	1	2
Colorado	1	0	1	0	0
Delaware	0	1	1	0	0
Kansas	0	2	2	0	1
Louisiana	3	0	3	0	4
Mississippi	0	2	2	0	0
Montana	1	0	1	0	0
Nebraska	0	3	3	0	4
Nevada	0	0	0	0	2
New Mexico	1	0	1	0	0
Oklahoma	2	3	5	0	0
North Dakota	0	1	1	0	0
South Dakota	0	4	4	0	1
Tennessee	0	0	0	0	1
Texas	1	3	4	0	2
Virginia	1	0	1	0	0
Washington	0	1	1	0	1
Wyoming	0	1	1	0	0
Totals	15	23	38	1	28

Horse Euthanized With West Nile Virus

A 10-year old mare from north Pasco is the second case of equine West Nile virus reported in Washington for the year. The horse was euthanized.

The horse was not vaccinated for the disease, and had not left the state. West Nile is potentially fatal in infected equines, other mammals and birds. The Washington State University’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman reported the positive test results to the State Veterinarian’s Office earlier this week.

The only other confirmed case of West Nile virus in a Washington horse this year was reported in late September for a horse pastured in Outlook, Yakima County.

“A killing frost will reduce the likelihood of further cases for the year,” said Acting State Veterinarian Paul Kohrs. “Horse owners in areas of the state where this disease will over winter should consider vaccinating for West Nile in 2014 at least a month before the onset of the mosquito season.”

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. The disease sickens people, horses, birds and other animals, but it does not spread from horses to people or other animals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,135 human cases have been reported nationwide this year.

West Nile virus is fatal to horses in about a third of the cases where clinical signs are apparent, although most horses do not become ill and show no symptoms at all. Horses that do become ill often display loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, stiffness, and muscle weakness, particularly in their hindquarters.

Washington had 72 West Nile virus cases in horses in 2009, but none in 2010 or 2011. Last year, a horse pastured near Grandview was euthanized after it became ill with the disease.

Veterinarians who learn of potential West Nile Virus cases in horses or other animals should contact the State Veterinarian’s Office at (360) 902-1881.