The Case

On July 22, 2000, the first sign of West Nile virus (WNV) appeared in Massachusetts. A dead crow was found in a wooded area in Jamaica Plain, a suburb of Boston. It tested positive for the virus.

Thus far, there have been no human cases in Massachusetts. Public health leaders in Massachusetts would like to think that it was the public information campaign they started when WNV was first detected. It may be luck. Regardless, the public health officials interviewed in this case are determined to prevent the first human case of WNV from occurring. Preparedness, communication and responsiveness to public concern are the recurring themes.

The finding of WNV in Massachusetts was not surprising given that WNV had been found in an increasing number of birds and mosquitoes in the New York and Connecticut area. In fact, the lessons learned in these states helped prepare Massachusetts for the likely appearance of WNV. It was early preparations that resulted in a quick response to this public health challenge. Hopefully, the lessons learned in Massachusetts will have the same benefit for other states as the virus continues to spread.