title: West nile epidemic in louisiana in 2002.
abstract: In 2002, 329 cases of West Nile illness were reported in Louisiana, including 204 cases of West Nile meningoencephalitis and 125 cases of West Nile fever. Clinical presentation of meningoencephalitis or of West Nile fever was confirmed serologically. There were 24 deaths. Age group distribution showed predominance among persons aged 45 years or older. The epidemic curve, based on date of diagnosis, showed numerous foci progressing in successive waves. The first cases occurred in mid-June. A peak was reached by the first week of August, after which the epidemic progressively subsided.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana Office of Public Health, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section and Public Health Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balsamo
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michaels
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sokol
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Straif-Bourgeois
authors.forename: Stacy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Nevin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Talati
authors.forename: Raoult
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ratard