- JAMESTOWN CANYON VIRUS,
MOSQUITOES - USA (NEW YORK)
- From ProMED-mail
- Press Republican
- By Jeff Meyers
- 8-4-4
-
- New York - Jamestown Canyon Virus Identified In Clinton
County
-
- Efforts to identify West Nile virus in Clinton County
have led to the discovery of a new mosquito-borne virus in the area. A
mosquito pool, collected in the Beekmantown area, tested positive for Jamestown
Canyon virus, which is very similar to the better-known West Nile virus.
[In fact, West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus are similar only in
that they are transmitted by mosquitoes. West Nile virus is a positive
strand RNA virus classified in the family _Flaviviridae_, whereas, Jamestown
Canyon virus is a negative strand RNA virus with a tripartite genome classified
in the family _Bunyaviridae_. - Mod.CP]
-
- "We conduct seasonal mosquito surveillance and send
samples to the New York State Lab for identification and testing for West
Nile virus and other arboviruses," said Paula Calkins Lacombe, director
of public health for the Clinton County Health Department. The department
has several areas throughout the county, where it collects mosquitoes for
submission. A mosquito pool represents several mosquitoes collected at
a specific time in a specific location. More than 70 species of mosquitoes
live in New York state, but only a few harbor viruses potentially dangerous
to humans. "Medical literature describes the symptoms of Jamestown
Canyon virus infection in humans as a mild illness with fever," Calkins
Lacombe said. "The virus rarely causes viral meningitis and encephalitis
in humans." Jamestown Canyon virus is carried by an _Aedes_ species
mosquito that likes breeding in standing water found in trees stumps and
wooded areas," said Adam Bouchard, who conducts mosquito surveillance
in Clinton County. "It's a much larger mosquito [than the vector of
West Nile virus] which is quite common in the area."
-
- Jamestown Canyon virus is one of [14 related viruses
belonging to the virus species _California encephalitis virus_. [This species
is one of a large number of species comprising the genus _Bunyavirus_ of
the family _Bunyaviridae_ - Mod.CP]. The Clinton County find was the 1st
in New York state in 2004. "We were not completely surprised, since
it has been documented in most states," Bouchard said.
-
- The incubation period for the virus to begin causing
symptoms is between 5 and 15 days. Early symptoms include fever, chills,
nausea, vomiting, headaches, and abdominal pain. There is no vaccine for
the virus itself, but early treatment for the symptoms of the virus is
usually successful. Mammals, such as mice, chipmunks, and whitetail deer,
may be carriers of Jamestown Canyon virus, so, it is likely that the virus
is located throughout the county, Calkins Lacombe said. "Although
this virus is not considered to be an imminent public-health threat, residents
are requested to remain vigilant, since the peak mosquito season is late
summer," she added. With the region's recent increased rainfall, mosquito
numbers are high and likely to increase.
-
- --
- ProMED-mail
- promed@promedmail.org
-
- The detection of Jamestown Canyon virus in New York state
is probably a consequence of increased surveillance for the presence of
West Nile virus rather than evidence of an enhanced or novel risk. - Mod.CP
-
- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD
- Please visit my "Emerging Diseases" message
board at:
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ngdiseases
- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
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