West Nile Virus

[Paul]

I think the name either comes from the fact that it was studied within Egypt - or more likely; that cases from Egypt being examined led to the discovery/revelation of the virus. Look into it if you want (not on wikipedia though )

[tyger]

Bear in mind that any seological positive test does not necessarily mean that you were ever infected with the agent at question. This is because some so-called positive results are false positives, as opposed to true positives.

You might be interested in this:

From Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, May 2009http://http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/previ...cid=mm5817a2_x:

False-Positive Results with a Commercially Available West Nile Virus Immunoglobulin M Assay --- United States, 2008

In September 2008, CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state health departments began a nationwide investigation into an increase in false-positive test results obtained with a commercially available West Nile virus (WNV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The investigation revealed that, in the United States, one lot of the commercially available test kits was the source of the false-positive results (1). That lot was recalled, and a second lot distributed outside the United States also was recalled (1). During July 1--September 30, 2008, the kit lot implicated in the United States resulted in positive tests on 568 specimens collected from 518 patients in 42 states and the District of Columbia (DC). A total of 166 (29%) specimens were retested at CDC, and 119 (72%) had false-positive results. A higher false-positive percentage were found among patients without evidence of neuroinvasive disease (77%) than patients with evidence of neuroinvasive disease (47%). Of the 518 patients, 249 (48%) had been reported to CDC as persons with WNV disease; however, only 45 (18%) had confirmatory testing that supported their inclusion in national surveillance data. Commercially available WNV test kits should be used to determine a presumptive diagnosis of WNV neuroinvasive disease. These kits should not be used to test specimens from persons without compatible illness, and any positive result should be confirmed by additional testing at a state health department or CDC.

[ccga3359]

West Nile is not a problem here in Canada. I've been turned down for donating blood because I've had a tattoo in the past six months even though tattoo parlours are heavily regulated and a new sterilized needle is used for each tattoo and the needle destroyed in front of the recipients eyes at the conclusion of the tattoo. In Canada the red cross has been sued successfully for allowing the transfusion of hepititus tainted blood. They take no chances now. Even on the application there is a question regarding contact with same-sex partners, I'm sure if this box is ticked then all blood from that donor is subsequently destroyed. To test every pint of blood for numerous possible things such as Hep, HIV, WNV and such must be mind-boggling. I guess they're erring on the side of safety. It's a shame, yet comforting at the same time.

[tyger]

Is West Nile Virus something we should be worried about?

The short answer is "No."

[walkerk]

You'll be checking in with us on Wednesday then?

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

You got to watch out for us. It just goes to show you that disease doesn't really respect political borders. Some of our prairie dogs here carry the bubonic plague.

[Galician]

I think the name either comes from the fact that it was studied within Egypt - or more likely; that cases from Egypt being examined led to the discovery/revelation of the virus. Look into it if you want (not on wikipedia though )

Paul, prior to 1999, the disease was confined to the Middle East. That year it turned up here in New York City, where several people, thousands of crows and other birds and a couple dozen race horses died. It then slowly swept across the U.S.A. Native American species of birds were totally vulnerable, as it had never been seen in the Americas before. It's only very recently that I am starting to see crows again.

[Heming]

I'm not allowed to give blood in Norway because I'm gay, and if I weren't I'd be denied because I've lived in Scotland, and if I hadn't I'd be denied because I've been to London less than 18 months ago, and if I hadn't I'd be denied because I have body piercings.

Seems they aren't really that needy...

[KiltedKnome]

I suspect regulations regarding blood donation have scientific standards plus political tip-toeing behind them. We had a blood scandal in Canada in the 1980's, where tainted blood was inadvertently used in a vast number of blood transfusions, etc. The government ended up crafting a huge compensation package for victims who had contracted diseases as a result.

Prior to moving to Canada in 1989, I had been a regular blood donor through the American Red Cross and the U.S. military. Canada, however, will not "touch my blood with a ten-foot pole", with a "forever" timeline stamped on it. I had a blood transfusion in Kenya in 1979. The US military examined my blood with every conceivable tool in the 1980's, and gave me a clean bill of health. That still does not hold water with Canada. I understand their reasons, but always feel guilty when a call is out for B+.

[ronstew]

It's a tick thing.

Am I misunderstanding you, Victoria? It's not a tick thing, it's a mosquito thing.