FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 18, 2002
ILLINOIS RESIDENT IN ALASKA DIAGNOSED WITH WEST NILE VIRUS INFECTION
Experts believe risk of WNV becoming established in Alaska is low
An Illinois resident who recently traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, has been diagnosed with West Nile Virus (WNV) infection. This individual became ill with symptoms compatible with WNV infection less than 24 hours after arriving by airplane from Chicago. The Alaska State Division of Public Health notified federal authorities of the diagnosis, which has been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Fort Collins, CO.
Although this case of WNV was diagnosed in Alaska, the patient’s exposure to mosquitoes and the virus took place in Illinois – a state where WNV infection has already been well-documented among humans, birds, and horses. The incubation period for WNV is approximately a week although symptoms may occur as soon as 3 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Therefore, this case-patient was already infected with the virus before coming to Alaska.
Because WNV infection is transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes and not from person-to-person, passengers who were on the same airplane as the patient are not at any greater risk of acquiring WNV infection. This case of WNV does not increase the likelihood that WNV has, or will, become established in Alaska, nor increase the risk of persons acquiring WNV infection in Alaska. Given the amount of travel by Alaska residents to WNV-infected areas and by persons from those areas to Alaska, it is not surprisingly that an out-of-state acquired case of WNV infection was diagnosed in Alaska.
The normal transmission lifecycle of WNV involves mosquitoes and birds. Humans, horses, and other mammals become infected incidentally when they are bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus. To establish a focus of WNV in Alaska, the correct combination of infected birds, mosquitoes and climatic conditions must occur. Given our short summer and mosquito seasons, experts feel that this is unlikely.
Travelers to WNV-infected areas are at risk for acquiring the infection. The best ways to protect against any mosquito-borne diseases in areas where disease can occur are to avoid high-risk areas and to take bite prevention measures. Bite prevention includes wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts when going outdoors during times that mosquitoes are active; keeping window and door screens closed; and using repellant products (consider using products that contain DEET).
While experts believe that the risk of WNV becoming established in Alaska is low, the Section of Epidemiology and its partners are working together to establish appropriate surveillance for WNV among the human, avian, and equine populations to be able to detect the disease should it occur in the State. This case of WNV infection was detected because astute hospital staff recognized the clinical signs and the travel history of the patient and contacted Epidemiology for assistance in obtaining the appropriate confirmatory tests.
More information about diagnosing infection with WNV, and WNV in general, can be found at the following websites:
Epidemiology Bulletin No. 23, Sept. 18, 2002, “Illinois Resident Diagnosed with West Nile Virus Infection in Alaska” [PDF]
Printer friendly version of this press release (PDF)
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For more information, please contact
Sherry Hill, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Communications
(907) 465-1611Or
Ross Soboleff
Public Information Officer III
(907) 465-1611
or
Dr. Louisa Castrodale, DVM
Section of Epidemiology
Div. of Public Health
(907) 269-8000
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