West Nile Virus latest

Councillor Phil Bateman reports that Officials in the Public Health Department of Wolverhampton City have reported that "There have been no cases of West Nile Virus identified any where in the UK to date." Well that was the advice that I was being offered back in May when I asked for information on West Nile Virus. A virus that was sweeping the USA and Canada and was being spread by birds."

The response to my original enquiry is reproduced here; "Thank you for your enquiry.
There have been no cases of West Nile Virus identified any where in the UK to date.The Public Health Laboratory service has done a look back exercise to search for any previous cases that may have been misdiagnosed. They have also been looking at animal reservoirs in the uk to see if these stocks are affected. Again, no such virus has been identified to date.

Clinicians and microbiologists around the UK have had their awareness raised to this infection. This would hopefully pick up any future potential cases early.
Travel advice is the same as for any mosquito infected area- primarily to take precautions to avoid being bitten.

Further information and advice can be accessed through:http://www.phls.co.uk/topics_az/west_nile/menu.htm
Please get back to me if I can be of any further assistance."
Chris Weiner (Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine- Wolverhampton City PCT)
Phil Bateman added "that was the advice in May, now I am led to believe that this virus is now being detected in anti bodies in a wide range of birds including chickens. While it is not an issue where the public should panic. It is nevertheless an issue for public authorities. In Canada Councils and individuals are asked to ensure that stagnant water and puddles are treated or removed to stop the mosquitos that carry the virus from breeding around habitation.

The advice is clear. There has been no cases diagnosed here in Wolverhampton,but it is still worthwhile if you are visiting the Eastern United States of America or Southern Ontario in Canada....Just be aware of the advice being offered to local people... and take account of it if you can. In this country we do not take to many pre cautions against biting insects. But the fact is that with our local tempratures hotting up through global warming. We will all have to become more aware of the potential for new tropical and exotic disease.

I am reassured that our own public Health Officials are keeping a watchful eye on the way that this disease is expanding its geographical range. I hope that if there is a need to inform travellers of any upsurge in activity that the Holiday Travel Industry and Public Health Officials give good and clear advice".Please note that the article now displayed can be seen in full on the BBC News Page
Saturday, 19 July, 2003, 00:33 GMT 01:33 UK
West Nile virus found in birds
Twenty species, included chickens, were tested for the virus
Evidence of the potentially deadly West Nile virus has been found in a high proportion of British birds, scientists have revealed.
The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and the researchers have warned that the risk of the virus spreading to humans is increasing with the impact of climate change.
It can cause fatal inflammation of the brain in humans. There have been no cases of the virus in the UK but it killed more than 270 people in the US last year.
Scientists at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Oxford tested birds mainly in Cambridgeshire, but also in Dorset and South Wales.

They found evidence of the virus in more than half the birds tested - an "unexpectedly high" proportion, BBC science correspondent Christine McGourty said.
It was found in more than 20 species in all, including crows, magpies, swallows, chickens, turkeys and ducks.
Migration
While the birds were healthy and showed no symptoms, scientists did detect antibodies to the virus.
This indicated the birds had come into contact with the virus and that their natural defences had successfully fought it off.
It is thought the virus is being brought into the country by migrating birds.
The researchers said there was no immediate threat to humans - but added the warning about climate change increasing the risk.
The research, published on Saturday, comes after increased surveillance measures for the virus were introduced in the UK.

The chief medical officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, announced the measures in early July, saying the risk to human health was low, but doctors and health officials had been urged to be on the look-out for symptoms.
WATCH AND LISTEN
The BBC's Christine McGourty
"Scientists found evidence of the virus in more than 50 per cent of the birds tested"