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West Nile Virus Outbreak: Lessons for Public Health Preparedness

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Sept. 11, 2000
Report No. HEHS-00-180
Subject
Summary:

In the fall of 1999, the mosquito-borne West Nile virus killed seven people in the New York City area and made dozens more very sick. This report chronicles the outbreak and examines the public health community's response to it. Although the West Nile outbreak is considered to have been a natural occurrence, it provides lessons about detecting and responding to an act of biological terrorism. Key lessons focus on the importance of local disease surveillance and response systems; improved communication among public health agencies; links between public and animal health agencies; ensuring adequate laboratory capabilities; and recognition of public health preparedness as a key element of bioterrorism preparedness.

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