N.M. Reports Season's First Case of West Nile Virus

July 13, 2003

New Mexico health officials confirmed Friday that a horse in Sierra County is the first case this season of West Nile virus.
   
The horse was diagnosed during the first week of July by a local veterinarian and its blood later tested positive for the virus. The horse had to be euthanized, according to the state Health Department.
   
State veterinarian Paul Ettestad said the case is the first evidence of West Nile in New Mexico this year.
   
"West Nile virus spread through the eastern half of the state in 2002 and will most likely expand to cover the entire state this summer and fall as it moves westward toward California," Ettestad said.
   
The mosquito-borne virus was first detected in New Mexico in August 2002 in horses from Quay and Curry Counties. By October, the virus had spread as far west as Dona Ana and Bernalillo counties.
  
The virus is carried by birds and transmitted by mosquitoes that feed on the birds' blood and then pass the virus to humans and animals, such as horses.
   
The virus causes fevers and aches and can lead to potentially fatal swelling of the brain. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito do not become ill.
   
West Nile made more than 4,100 people ill and killed 277 last year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
   
A vaccine against the disease is available for horses, but researchers are years away from developing something for humans.
   
No human cases of the virus have been reported in New Mexico.
   
"People in New Mexico should be aware of West Nile virus but not be alarmed," Ettestad said.
   
State health officials suggested people take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, such as staying indoors at dawn and dusk and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=1358447&nav=AbC0Gs4z