August 22, 2007
Cascade County Woman Dies from West Nile Virus
An elderly Cascade County woman has become the first Montanan to die as a result of West Nile virus since 2003.
State health officials confirmed Wednesday that the woman became ill Aug. 12, was hospitalized, and died several days later from encephalitis, a severe neurological disease that in rare cases can be caused by the West Nile virus.
The woman is the 42nd Montanan known to be infected with the virus this season, according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 444 cases and 15 deaths nationwide, not counting the Cascade County death.
“So far this is the second worst season on record for West Nile virus in Montana,” said Elton Mosher, disease tracking specialist with DPHHS. “And we’re still in the middle of the season, so who knows.”
Most human cases of West Nile virus occur from July through September in Montana. The virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of a specific species of mosquito.
Mosher said the increase in cases this year is probably related to the weather.
“We had spring rains followed by hot weather, and that’s prime mosquito breeding conditions,” he said.
In 2003, the worst year for West Nile so far, state public health officials reported 228 cases in humans, with four deaths. The first documented cases of the virus occurred in Montana in 2002.
Public health officials recommend these precautions to protect against West Nile virus:
About 80 percent of those who are infected with West Nile virus notice no symptoms and develop immunity, Mosher said. About 20 percent experience a relatively mild flu-like illness known as West Nile fever.
Only about 1 in 150 infections results in severe neurological disease, such as encephalitis or meningitis. One in a thousand cases is fatal.
To learn more about West Nile virus, visit www.cdc.gov/westnile.
