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Fax AlertOctober 17, 2001 WEST NILE VIRUS IN CAYMAN ISLANDS On August 21, 2001 a 32 year old man from Cayman Brac, one of the Cayman Islands was admitted into hospital with encephalitis. A serum sample taken on August 29, 2001 was found to have a very high IgM antibody reaction and a high neutralizing antibody titre to West Nile Virus. While not confirmatory, these test results, together with the clinical history of the patient, are consistent with an acute infection of West Nile Virus. The patient has been treated and is recuperating at home. The patient reported that he had not traveled out of Cayman Islands in the last six months, hence this is the first suspected case of West Nile Virus in the Cayman Islands and also in the wider Caribbean Region. A suspected case of West Nile Virus is any person admitted to hospital presenting with fever and severe neurological manifestations (varying from aseptic meningitis to encephalitis) of unknown aetiology. A confirmed case is a suspected case with one of the following criteria:
NB: Detection of WN virus-specific IgM and/or IgG (by EIA) antibody in a single serum or CSF specimen must be confirmed by any of the above techniques. In order to confirm the presence of West Nile Virus, the collection of an acute sample, taken within 7 days of onset of illness, is very important. West Nile Virus was first identified in the USA in the summer of 1999 and has reappeared in summer of 2000 and 2001 (CDFR Volume 6, Issue 2). The virus has been moving East and South during this time and nine human cases were identified in Florida in 2001, four of these being in Florida Cays. Given the Southward movement of the virus and the fact that the vector, the Culex mosquito, is prevalent in the Caribbean, there is a need for all countries in the region to be on the alert for suspected cases of West Nile Virus. Please see CAREC’s website, www.carec.org for further information on veterinary and entomological surveillance information. The Culex mosquito is predominantly a night-biting mosquito, as compared to the vector for Dengue, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is predominantly a day-biting mosquito. At this time, in an effort to reduce both the Culex and Aedes aegypti mosquito populations, the need for source reduction activities is again emphasized. If necessary, the use of insect repellents containing DEET is also recommended.
Please feel free to contact CAREC’s Epidemiology Division on 868-622-2152 if you have any queries or need further information. Queries relating to specimen collection, storage or transport should be directed to CAREC’s Laboratories on 868-622-4262, extension 216
Dr. Eldonna Boisson |
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Caribbean Epidemiology Centre Page last modified 19 October, 2001 |
