AR-News: (US) Michigan Dept. of Ag. confirms first ever canine case of West Nile Virus

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http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1421561&nav=0RceHiUe
  
Michigan Department of Agriculture  confirms first ever canine case of West Nile virus

By Patrick Center

(Lowell, August 28, 2003, 6:16 p.m.)It is the first ever  confirmed canine case of west Nile in Michigan, and it could be the first canine  case in the U.S. this year. Last year, seven dogs came down with west Nile.  While it is rare, dog owners can protect their pooch from the deadly  virus.

"Nikki is what they call a Field, Red Irish Setter," explains  dog owner, Carole Mueller-Brumbaugh of Grattan Township, "She's ten years old  and a one time champion show dog. So she's just a wonderful pet and a very, very  dear family member." But after sleeping hours on end and refusing to eat, this  family member began showing signs she was terribly sick. "Because she started to  walk crooked and she was dragging her right side," said Mueller-Brumbaugh, "We  thought she might have had a stroke?"

The Irish Setter was brought to the Animal Hospital of Lowell  for testing. The result of the test revealed Nikki had not suffered a stroke.  Instead, this dog was suffering from Michigan's first ever confirmed case of  west Nile virus.

We've learned not all dogs will show signs of illness, but  symptomatic dogs, like Nikki, will exhibit neuralgic disorders, "Where they lose  control of the hind end walking like they're drunk," explained veterinarian  Bruce Langlois, D.V.M., "To paralysis, to seizures, muscle tremors, things like  that." Presently, there is no vaccine for dogs or a specific treatment said  Langlois, "So it's symptomatic treatment and basically it's high doses of  anti-inflamatories to reduce the inflammation in the spinal chord."

Mueller-Brumbaugh says she has done everything possible to  protect Nikki from mosquitos spreading the virus. She's even applied repellents  with the most effective ingredients, "I spray us both down with Deet and she  uses all the precautions, but you can't protect yourself all the time." Vets  like Langlois tell us the only approved protection for dogs is a product called  K-9 Advantix, "It comes in a little tube like oil that you spread along the back  of the dog. They absorb it and it does a real good job of keeping the mosquitos  off and it lasts for a month." The price? About $10 per treatment.

Langlois also advises dog owners protect their pooch by limiting  exposure to mosquitos. He recommends bringing dogs indoors from dusk 'til dawn.  As for Nikki, the doctor says she'll make a full  recovery.

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1395380
 
West Nile animal vaccine gives  hope for humans


By Patrick Center

(Grand Rapids, August 8, 2003, 7:54 p.m.)  The West Nile  virus is spreading faster than health officials expected. In the last week, the  number of human cases in the U.S. has tripled and that's why research is  underway to create a human vaccine.

The West Nile virus is spreading faster than health officials  expected. In the last week, the number of human cases in the U.S. has tripled to  164 in 16 states. Michigan and many east coast states remain unscathed. Why?  Some will argue that four years of attempts to control the spread are paying  off. The use of larvacides in ponds killing mosquito populations could be one  reason. Then there's a better educated population, residents protecting spraying  their bare skin with mosquito repellents or protecting their skin with long  sleeve shirts and pants.

These measures work well, but won't stop the virus completely.  That's why there is research underway to create a human vaccine. That vaccine  will most likely be based on a vaccine currently being used to protect zoo  animals. The vaccine was first introduced to birds housed at the Houston Zoo and  Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Now most zoos use the vaccine, including Grand  Rapids' John Ball Zoo.  
 
Richard Bennett is Veterinarian  for John Ball Zoo, "It's been shown to be pretty effective." "This is  provisionally approved," admits Bennett, "It isn't totally approved yet." Even  so, after using the vaccine for one year, few animals have dies from the  WNV.

"The fact that there's a vaccine that can be effective in  animals gives us hope that we can develop a vaccine for humans," said David  Baumgartner of Saint Mary's Medical Center. He explained developing any vaccine  takes time. Pharmaceutical companies balance the need versus the potential for  dangerous side effects. It could take years to approve and market a West Nile  vaccine for humans, and by then, there may not be much of a need at  all?

A question we asked after taking a closer look at Center for  Disease Control maps detailing the areas hardest hit by WNV. Last year the bulk  of outbreaks and fatalities were concentrated along the east coast, through the  midwest and into the deep south. There were cases out west but not many. This  year Colorado is a hot spot for human cases, while along the east coast where  the virus originated four years ago, there are none. "So you would expect in  areas where the virus has been around for a while, fewer people are going to be  susceptible to it," concluded Baumgartner. But why?

Baumgartner said it's nature at work, our bodies adapt, "We know  that most people who get infected with the virus don't get sick, but build up  immunity to it." The population in Colorado has had little time to build up  immunity. Dr. Bennett said we should all keep this in mind, too, "A virus  doesn't want to kill its host because now it has no place to live."

 Still, both Bennett and Baumgartner agree there is a need  for a vaccine to protect Americans most susceptible, those with immune  deficiencies and the elderly. A need that could take years to  fill.