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Uganda
First found in a woman isolated with a viral syndrome in Omogo, Uganda in the West Nile district. -
Period: to
Cancer Treatment
Tested as a cancer treatment on 95 seriously ill cancer patients. Did not seem to treat the cancer. -
Birds
First time identified in birds in the Nile delta region. -
meningoencephalitis
Recognized WNV as the cause of human meningoencephalitis in elderly in outbreak in Israel. -
France
Outbreak in Southern France. Government investigated, and sprayed with insecticides and temporarily controlled the outbreak. -
Horses
Virus found to have fatal effects on horses in Egypt and France. -
South Africa
Outbreak in South Africa. -
Bucharest, Romania
Outbreak in Bucharest, Romania. More serious symptoms. Got help from France and the United States. Many hypotheses for reason of outbreak at Bucharest. Global warming? Environmental factors include poor plumbing, polluted water, low rainfall. -
Pathogenic birds
Discovered that birds are pathogenic for West Nile virus. -
Period: to
1999
By the end of the year virus had spread to NJ, MD and CT. -
United States
Virus imported to the United States (and North America) after circulating in Israel and Tunisia. First identified in New York. 17 cases confirmed, 7 human deaths and many bird deaths. -
West Nile confirmed
Originally diagnosed as St. Louis encephalitis. On the 23rd, finally confirmed as West Nile virus with connection to dying birds. DNA analysis revealed NY virus origin was from Middle East. -
Staten Island
Virus reappeared in NYC. This time in Staten Island, not Queens. Marshes and breeding grounds in Staten Island. -
Period: to
2002
In 2002 there was 4,256 cases recorded and 284 deaths.
2001 was 66 cases and 9 deaths. -
Period: to
2003
By the end of 2003, spread to the West Coast and to 46 states. 9858 cases recorded. -
Outbreak
Massive outbreak in the United States in the Mississippi River basin. Worst year to date by number of human cases: 9000+ -
Present Day
One of the worst outbreaks in history. Number continually climb into the next year. In total, West Nile has caused over 30,000 human cases and hundreds of deaths.
