Arizonan likely has W. Nile virusIf confirmed, case would be state first
Kerry Fehr-Snyder
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 18, 2003 12:00 AM
Arizona's first human case of West Nile virus has likely occurred on the Tohono O'odham Reservation in Pima County, health officials said Friday.
The adult woman contracted the illness Sept. 17 in Pima County and is recovering, health officials said. She has not been hospitalized and does not pose a threat to others, as the mosquito-borne disease is not spread between individuals.
Dr. Elizabeth MacNeill, Pima County chief medical officer, called the case "probable and most likely" West Nile virus after two tests during the woman's four-week illness showed she had developed antibodies to the illness, indicating infection with the virus.
Final confirmatory tests are expected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
The woman lives near the Kitt Peak area in Tucson, the only area in which a mosquito sample in Pima County has tested positive for the virus.
West Nile is found in infected birds and spread to mosquitoes that feed on them. Infected mosquitoes then pass it to humans and animals by biting them.
In the vast majority of cases, humans survive the virus and develop only mild flu-like symptoms, including extreme fatigue, headaches and a rash. But about 20 percent of West Nile virus victims will develop more severe illness.
This is the first year the virus has been detected in Arizona. Earlier this week, Maricopa County health officials said a 25-year-old mule in Gilbert tested positive.
There is no human vaccine for the West Nile virus.
Mosquito season is expected to last until nighttime temperatures dip significantly.
One human case of West Nile was reported earlier this year in Gila County, but officials believe the man contracted the virus in Colorado.
Health officials are reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by avoiding the outdoors from dusk to dawn, wearing pants and long-sleeve shirts, wearing insect repellant containing DEET and eliminating standing water inside and outside their homes.