Human West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Disease in Texas, 2003 Epidemic: Regional Differences

Arboviral diseases, such as West Nile virus (WNV) epizootics, tend to be geographically unique because of the biomes that support the vector(s) and reservoir host(s). Understanding such details aids in preventive efforts. We studied the 2003 epidemic of human West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of epidemiology 2006-10, Vol.16 (10), p.749-755
Main Authors: Warner, Ronald D., Kimbrough, Robert C., Alexander, James L., Rush Pierce, J., Ward, Tigi, Martinelli, Lawrence P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Age Factors
Aged
Animals
Child
Child, Preschool
Culex
Culicidae
Epidemic
Female
Human
Humans
Male
Neuroinvasive Disease
Risk
Sex Factors
Texas
Texas - epidemiology
United States
West Nile Fever - epidemiology
West Nile Fever - transmission
West Nile Virus
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Summary:Arboviral diseases, such as West Nile virus (WNV) epizootics, tend to be geographically unique because of the biomes that support the vector(s) and reservoir host(s). Understanding such details aids in preventive efforts. We studied the 2003 epidemic of human West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) in Texas because it initially appeared that incidence was not uniform across regions of the state. The epidemic was described by age, sex, and region of residence. These variables were used to compare age-specific incidence, standardized cumulative incidence, and age-adjusted relative risk (RR). We verified case data and used routine software, with population estimates from the US Census Bureau. Regardless of sex, risk increased with age. Males had the greater risk (RR, 1.69); however, males aged 5 to 17 years had the greatest RR. Of the five regions compared, two posed more (RRs, 7.98 and 2.14) and one posed less (RR, 0.40) risk than the remainder of the state. Proportions of Culex vector species differed significantly between regions. During 2003, the risk for WNND varied considerably across Texas. This suggests that various risks for WNV infection deserve additional research for preventive interventions to be regionally appropriate and effective.
ISSN:1047-2797
1873-2585
DOI:10.1016/j.annepidem.2006.04.006