1. Protecting yourself from West Nile
West Nile virus spreads through the bite of
an infected mosquito and can affect people,
horses, birds and other animals. Protect
yourself from the virus by following these tips:
Avoid mosquito bites
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin and
clothing when you go outdoors. The most
effective repellents contain DEET, or N,
N-diethyl-m-toluamide.
Avoid breeding conditions
• Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
Drain standing water from flowerpots, rain
gutters and other water collectors.
Be observant
• Alert local health authorities to potential
mosquito breeding sites in your area. Report
dead or dying birds to your state health
department.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
VOL. 3, NO. 12 - 03/25/03 - (VIEW MORE NEWS FROM THIS DATE)
New laboratory allows enhanced study of West Nile virus
By Stacie Sutton Beck
A new laboratory at Georgia State
University will allow researchers to expand
their studies of the West Nile virus, which
killed nearly 275 people in the United States
last year. Designated biosafety level 3, or
BSL-3, the lab is equipped to handle the
deadly virus and other infectious agents.
Last summer, biology researchers Margo
Brinton and Andrey Perelygin discovered a
gene in mice that confers resistance to
West Nile and other related viruses. Now
the researchers will explore whether a
similar gene exists in humans and birds.
Only 1 percent of people who show severe
symptoms of West Nile will die from the
virus. Many more are infected and never
experience flu-like indicators typical of West
Nile. In birds, crows and jays are more likely
than other types of birds to die from the
virus.
The variation seen in humans and birds
also exists in mice, Brinton and Perelygin
discovered, due to a gene that helps resist
the virus. An exact match to the gene in mice doesn't exist in humans and birds, but research
suggests that susceptibility to the disease in those species may be linked to genetics.
Working with researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National
Cancer Institute and the University of Georgia, Brinton and Perelygin will examine gene
mutations and see if there’s a link to individuals who develop severe disease.
“It could be that there's a genetic component to West Nile resistance (in humans and birds),
but it may be in a different set of genes than what we found in mice,” said Brinton, a professor
of biology.
With assistant research professor Perelygin, Brinton also is trying to understand how the
resistance gene functions in mice, which could aid in the development of antiviral drugs.
The Villager is Georgia State University's official faculty and staff newsletter and is published by the Department of University Relations.