西尼罗病毒：2003年内可能比SARS爆发更严重

     （摘要）西尼罗病毒曾在2002年干燥炎热的夏季袭击了美国等国家。疫情蔓延到了44个州、哥伦比亚地区、加拿大的5个省。病毒所造成的神经功能受损病例超过4000例，引起284人死亡。调查表明： 西尼罗病毒可通过蚊子传播，其它传播途径包括输血、器官移植，也可由怀孕或哺乳的母亲传给婴（胎）儿。包括西尼罗病毒和SARA病毒在内，近来新出现的病毒共有30余种。

原文参考:

West Nile Virus; Outbreaks could be 'bigger than SARS' in 2003
Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA; Atlanta; Jun 15, 2003;

Abstract:
In 2002 West Nile virus made a furious dash across the nation during what was a hot, dry summer. Spreading to 44 states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces, neurological cases of the virus numbered over 4000 and 284 people died. It also was learned that West Nile virus could be transmitted via blood transfusions, organ transplants, pregnancy and probably breast milk. West Nile virus and SARS are just the latest in about 30 infectious diseases that have been on the rise in recent years.

2003 JUN 15 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- West Nile virus, which sickened 4156 people and resulted in 284 deaths in North America last year, could end up in 2003 having a considerably bigger human and nonhuman impact than that seen to date with SARS, according to two Harvard experts.

The pair indicated that the Plains, western states and Alaska may be particularly susceptible to 2002-like West Nile virus conditions, which already are at alarming levels in Central and Latin America.

Paul Epstein, MD, associate director of the Harvard Medical School Center for Health and the Global Environment, and Douglas Causey, PhD, senior biologist at the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology, warned that climate-change contributors such as excessive burning of fossil fuels and deforestation will have to change in order to bring under control the recent surge in 30 major infectious diseases, including West Nile virus.

Epstein said, "The attention focused in recent weeks on SARS is extraordinary and, it can be argued, excessive. This is an illness that - no matter how deadly - has sickened only a few thousand around the globe and killed a few hundred. This stands in sharp contrast to West Nile virus, which resulted in 4156 human illnesses and 284 deaths in North America alone last year."

He added, "It is entirely reasonable to expect that the North American impact of West Nile virus will be as significant in 2003 as it was in 2002 ... As cold and cruel as the winter has been in the U.S. and, in particular, the Northeast, we are concerned that present and persistent drought projected in the Plains states, the West and Alaska could set the stage for amplification and spread of West Nile, as it did in 2002.

"That doesn't mean that we won't have a bad West Nile virus season in the East and South in the U.S. Where West Nile virus already is established among wildlife, heavy rains may increase the 'bridge vectors' that carry the virus to humans and horses. But we are particularly concerned about seeing what is essentially a "replay" of the circumstances in certain parts of the country that led to so many illnesses and deaths in 2003."

The experts cautioned against evaluating the danger posed by West Nile virus and other emerging infectious diseases in strictly human terms.

Causey said, "The problem with looking at the disease picture from a strictly human standpoint is that we and animals are all in this together. Infectious diseases like West Nile that can jump species can have devastating effects in animals and in humans. Of great concern is the fact that West Nile virus has spread to 230 species of animals, including 138 species of birds.

"We are particularly concerned about what we are seeing with birds. Last year, avian deaths increased five-fold over 2001. West Nile virus has spread to the Caribbean in 2003, and it now is a leading suspect in the disturbing 10-fold drop in several bird species in Costa Rica over the past year. Many of these are migratory songbirds, the loss of which will be noted across the United States."

Epstein and Causey called for a number of steps, including better disease surveillance and response and stepped-up coordination among disease, climate and other experts. They also pointed out that an effective fight against West Nile virus and other emerging infectious diseases will require the undertaking of efforts to curb global warming.

In 2002 West Nile virus made a furious dash across the nation during what was a hot, dry summer. Spreading to 44 states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces, neurological cases of the virus numbered over 4000 and 284 people died. It also was learned that West Nile virus could be transmitted via blood transfusions, organ transplants, pregnancy and probably breast milk. West Nile virus and SARS are just the latest in about 30 infectious diseases that have been on the rise in recent years.

This article was prepared by Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA editors from staff and other reports.