West Nile Virus Cases Triple in One Week

[newyawker99]

The number of West Nile virus cases has tripled to at least 164 since last week and will likely break last year's record, a top federal health official said Thursday in the latest warning about the rapid advance of the mosquito-borne disease.

"The numbers are starting to change very, very quickly," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "That is very concerning."

State health officials report seven people - all of them elderly - have died from the virus. Four of the deaths were reported in Colorado, the hardest-hit state.

Health officials had expected the disease to spread this year to all corners of the country, invading Western states previously unscathed. But they appeared somewhat surprised at its speed.

West Nile virus

[denverbill]

1. I don't quite know what to do about WNV.

They say if you get it, you are immune for life, and that elderly are more likely to die from it, so why the hell should I not just go ahead and get it now when I'm still relatively young? It seems almost inevitable that I'll get it eventually.

[truth2power]

2. What's the status of a vaccine

being available anytime soon?

[bleedingheart]

3. they expected this to happen and anyone who has gotten it

is naturally vaccinated...

Not everyone gets really sick from this.. most don't even know they have had it. Its just the very old and the sick who are affected most so they should be careful during the next month or so until the frosts kill the skeeters...