Rhonda Rowland: The West Nile Virus

Rhonda Rowland is the medical correspondent for the health news unit at CNN.

CNN Moderator: Is the West Nile virus expected to spread across the United States?

Rhonda Rowland: According the federal health officials, they expect that eventually the West Nile Virus could spread across the United States. They cannot predict how quickly this might happen, or the pattern in which it might spread, but they have monitoring in place, so they can track the spread, and alert residents in those particular areas where the virus may exist. As you probably know, so far, the virus has been seen primarily in the Northeast. In the past two years, since it arrived in the United States, it's been detected in 12 states and the District of Columbia. However, it's important to point out that the individuals who have become severely ill, or who have died from the virus, have all been in New York and New Jersey. In those other states, only birds and animals have been affected so far.

Question from chat room: What are the symptoms of the West Nile virus?

MORE Get more information about West Nile from the CDC   ALSO West Nile virus expected to spread across country

Rhonda Rowland: It's important to know that most people who get the virus never know it. Only one in one hundred people, approximately, will experience some symptoms. They are usually flu-like, like headache and body-aches. A very small percentage could develop encephalitis. A study released today in the New England Journal of Medicine shows older people with existing health problems, such as hypertension or diabetes, are most at risk for serious symptoms.

Question from chat room: What can we do to avoid the risk of getting this virus?

Rhonda Rowland: There are things you can do to reduce your risk of being bitten by infected mosquitoes. When going outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk, wear long sleeves and pants, use a mosquito repellent containing the chemical DEET, and very important, reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes around your home. That means eliminating standing water from areas like gutters, containers, pails, wading pools, even birdbaths. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have birdbaths, but change the water frequently.

Question from chat room: With all the flooding recently, are these areas going to be more susceptible to getting that mosquito?

Rhonda Rowland: The mosquito, which tends to carry the virus, is the Culex mosquito, and that can be present in a number of areas. When there is a lot of rain that can wash away the mosquito larvae. The greater issue is standing water. So, after a flood subsides, people should be concerned with eliminating stagnant water, where mosquitoes can breed. However, I want to point out that the threat of this virus does not exist until health officials have evidence that it's in a specific area. They can determine this in several ways. They analyze dead birds and animals to see if the virus is responsible for the death, and they also trap mosquitoes and analyze them for the virus. So, good mosquito control is important to eliminate annoyance mosquitoes, but you don't have to be unduly alarmed unless health officials identify West Nile in your area.

Question from chat room: How can the West Nile virus be treated?

Rhonda Rowland: The most serious symptom or complication is viral encephalitis, which is brain inflammation. In those cases, patients are hospitalized, and would receive traditional treatment. There is no specific West Nile treatment, to my knowledge.

Question from chat room: Has any more progress been made in the area of designer type pesticides, for example, a pesticide that kills mosquitoes carrying a specific virus?

Rhonda Rowland: What we understand is states boards of health, or county health departments, have mosquito control practices appropriate to their areas. That may include placing larvacide in creeks and other drainage areas to kill mosquito larvae. In some areas, there is mosquito spraying that takes place, and that would affect all types of mosquitoes.

Question from chat room: Is there any chance of transmission from ticks or fleas?

Rhonda Rowland: No. Currently, scientists say the only way they know the virus is spread is from mosquitoes to birds, mosquitoes to animals, mosquitoes to humans. There is no evidence of human to human transmission, or animal to human spread.

Question from chat room: How did the virus get to U.S. in the first place?

Rhonda Rowland: It was first identified in the West Nile region of Uganda in 1937. Researchers believe it was brought to the United States perhaps through an imported bird to a zoo.

Question from chat room: How would one know if they had a West Nile virus infection?

Rhonda Rowland: If someone developed severe flu-like symptoms quickly, they should see a physician as soon as possible. Researchers are alerting physicians, especially along the eastern seaboard, especially if they are treating elderly patients with encephalitis this summer, to consider West Nile Virus. Also, the states that are bordering those where West Nile Virus activity has been seen, and it's been seen as far south as North Carolina, up to Vermont, bordering states should be especially on the lookout this summer.

Therefore, if you see any dead crows, dead horses, and those deaths appear to be unexplained, health officials encourage you to call the department of health to have it investigated. It's also encouraging to know that the CDC has met with health officials from all 48 states about having a plan in place to look for the mosquitoes and to alert and educate residents. There is no need for people to panic, since once again, in the past two years, only 74 people have become ill, and nine people have died from the West Nile Virus. Instead, it's important to just be aware of the potential threat, and do your best to protect yourself against mosquitoes.

CNN Moderator: Do you have any final thoughts to share with us?

Rhonda Rowland: Once again, thank you for your insightful questions. Do not panic! Enjoy yourself this summer, and make sure you're always armed with mosquito repellent.

CNN Moderator: Thank you for joining us today.

Rhonda Rowland joined the chat room via telephone from Atlanta, GA and CNN.com provided a typist. The above is an edited transcript of the interview on Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 11:30 a.m. EDT.

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