Field workers to assist in monitoring West Nile Virus
published: Tuesday | January 21, 2003
AGRICULTURAL FIELD workers, including farmers and veterinarians, are being asked to be on the look out for unusual numbers of dead birds, which could signify the presence of the West Nile Virus in Jamaica.
"We want such persons to report unusual incidences of dead wild birds to any Public Health office, or any of the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Services Parish offices," said Dr. Cedric Lazarus, Senior Veterinary Officer in the Agriculture Ministry.
The West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, when they become infected, having fed on birds carrying the virus in their blood. After 10 to 14 days, the virus can be transmitted to another bird, person, or animal the mosquito has bitten.
In explaining the reason for alerting agricultural field workers, Dr. Lazarus said, "One of the first signs of the virus, was sick and dead wild birds, and agricultural field workers, farmers and veterinarians, were the people most likely to see them." He stressed that proper surveillance was critical, as we were now in the winter season, and birds, which are carriers of the virus, were migrating from North America to the warmer climates of the Caribbean and South America. This virus, which was first recognised in the United States in 1999, as the cause of severe and fatal human illness in New York City, has since spread throughout the eastern half of that country.
Speaking about the symptoms of the virus, the Senior Veterinary Officer stated that it could result in a severe illness, known as West Nile encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain, marked by headaches, high fever, disorientation, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. "The risk of severe forms of West Nile encephalitis is higher in persons of 50 years and older, as they tend to have lower immune systems," he further explained.
Dr. Lazarus, who noted that there was no cure for the virus, said in the case of serious infection, the only recourse was to secure supportive medical care to prevent secondary infections.
The West Nile Virus is commonly found in Africa, West and Central Asia, and the Middle East.
