West Nile Virus Data

FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING WEST NILE VIRUS, PLEASE CALL the Epidemiology and Response Division at (505) 827-0006, 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday

New! Manual for Investigation and Control of Communicable Diseases in New Mexico, 2008: Mosquito-borne Viral Encephalitides chapter

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West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that was first seen in North America in 1999. The most serious manifestation of West Nile Virus infection is fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans and horses, as well as mortality in certain domestic and wild birds. Cases of West Nile Virus in New Mexico have occurred every year since 2003, though decreasing numbers of cases have been reported, from 209 in 2003, 88 in 2004, 33 in 2005 and 8 human cases in 2006. The number of cases increased to 60 in 2007. West Nile Virus infections in humans occur seasonally, with the peak of cases in late summer and early fall.

The risk of acquiring West Nile Virus can be reduced by:

• Using insect repellent
• Reducing the amount of time spent outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
• Having screens on your doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out
• Emptying or eliminating water holding containers (where mosquitoes lay their eggs) such as tires, flower pots and buckets

A resident of Valencia County was hospitalized for West Nile encephalitis in August and is now recovered. This is the first human case of the year. Mosquitoes collected the week of August 11 from San Juan County also tested positive for West Nile virus. See press release of August 19, 2008.

A horse from McKinley County has tested positive for West Nile Virus, the first equine case of the year. See press release of July 18, 2008.

Mosquitoes collected the week of June 23 from the Las Cruces area have tested positive for West Nile Virus. See press release of July 3, 2008.

New Mexico Vector Control Manual

Public Health Confronts the Mosquito: Developing Sustainable State and Local Mosquito Control Programs, a report from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials' Mosquito Control Collaborative.