Wyoming health officials Aug. 16 confirmed the first detection of West Nile virus in their state. A horse near the Nebraska line died of encephalitis. Specimens tested positive at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, University of Wyoming.
University of Wyoming veterinary pathologist Todd Cornish is a West Nile Virus veterinary consultant.
State Health Officer Brent Sherard said health and veterinary officials had been expecting the virus for some time. The virus was first detected in North America in New York City in 1999, and has since been found in 40 states and three Canadian provinces.
Mosquitoes transmit the virus from birds to horses and humans. A conditionally approved vaccine is available for horses, but not for humans.
Most infected people don't become ill; those who do usually have a mild fever and headache. Less than 1 percent have severe symptoms including muscle weakness, encephalitis, paralysis and coma. In rare cases the disease is fatal.
Eight western states, along with Alaska and Hawaii, have not reported arrival of the virus. Washington, Montana, Idaho, and other western states are monitoring for its appearance.
Health officials in unaffected states already are educating the public on disease prevention through mosquito control. To enhance surveillance, state health officials are asking physicians to be aware of possible human cases.
August 23, 2002