West Nile Virus News and Research

Latest West Nile Virus News and Research

Nanoparticles for 'on-the-spot' virus detector

Chemical engineers from the University at Buffalo have collaborated with scientists from other institutions to solve a critical bottleneck in the transport and capture of virus nanoparticles, making possible a device that could rapidly sample and detect infectious biological agents, such as viruses.

4 May 2007

West Nile virus may require some extra attention, thought and planning this year

Dry weather in the west may lead to an abundance of fertile mosquito breeding grounds as creeks and streams dry up to bogs and puddles faster than usual, while recent storms across the middle of the country and on the East coast could result in more abundant standing water for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.

2 May 2007

BioForce Nanosciences pursues support for ViriChip platform

BioForce Nanosciences continues their effort to fund development of the ViriChip platform, a patented system designed to rapidly and nondestructively detect and identify whole viruses.

12 Apr 2007

Medical Services International receives increased interest in Dengue fever and Malaria test kits

Medical Services International Inc. has announced that the interest by regulatory authorities and the company's distributors has increased substantially for its VScan Dengue Fever and Malaria test kits.

5 Apr 2007

FDA approves new test for West Nile virus in donors

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the approval of a license supplement for the first fully automated West Nile Virus (WNV) nucleic acid test for donor screening.

4 Mar 2007

DNA vaccine for H5N1 avian influenza enters human trial

The first human trial of a DNA vaccine designed to prevent H5N1 avian influenza infection began on December 21, 2006, when the vaccine was administered to the first volunteer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD.

3 Jan 2007

DNA-based computer that could lead to faster West Nile virus detection

New technique detects signature of metastasizing melanoma with as few as 10 cancer cells present in blood sample.

16 Oct 2006

Generic hypertension drug a suspect in 19 deaths in Panama

As a result of a mystery illness that has claimed the lives of 19 people, officials in Panama have withdrawn all stocks of a hypertension drug used by thousands to treat high blood pressure.

9 Oct 2006

GenoMed's third horse with presumed West Nile Virus recovers after treatment

GenoMed has announced that the third horse in its expanded trial for West Nile virus encephalitis recovered markedly within 24 hours after starting GenoMed's treatment.

21 Aug 2006

Long-term health effects from West Nile illnesses

More than a year after being diagnosed with a West Nile virus infection, half of the patients have ongoing health complaints including fatigue, memory problems, headaches, depression, and tremors, according to an article in the Sept. 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

16 Aug 2006

GenoMed's West Nile treatment speeds up Texas policeman's recovery from paralysis

GenoMed has announced that a Texas policeman with paralysis from the waist down due to West Nile virus has accelerated his recovery since starting GenoMed's treatment last week.

16 Aug 2006

Researchers find precise location where an antibody binds to the West Nile virus

Researchers have learned the precise location where an antibody binds to the West Nile virus, and they have suggested a mechanism for how this antibody neutralizes the virus to prevent infection.

14 Aug 2006

GenoMed's West Nile virus trial endorsed by expert

GenoMed has announced the endorsement of its trial for West Nile virus encephalitis by an authority in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Neal Handly.

8 Aug 2006

Scientists identify genetic element that the dengue virus uses to replicate

The first step in the transmission of mosquito-borne viruses is no mystery: it's the pesky insect's bite that allows the virus to enter its victim's bloodstream.

2 Aug 2006

West Nile virus makes its 2006 arrival in Arizona

West Nile Virus has made its first appearance of 2006 in Arizona, and state and local health officials are encouraging everyone to take precautions against the disease.

10 Jul 2006

Idaho's first case of West Nile virus for 2006

West Nile virus was found in mosquitoes from Gem County on May 31, prompting health officials to remind people to 'Fight the Bite' of mosquitoes around their homes or when they are outdoors.

9 Jun 2006

Robins are the vector for West Nile virus not crows

GenoMed has underscored the discovery by Connecticut scientists that robins are the vector for West Nile virus in their state, not crows.

5 Jun 2006

West Nile virus DNA vaccine shows promise in phase 1 trial

Vical Incorporated has announced that in a Phase 1 clinical trial, a West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine candidate administered using Vical's proprietary DNA delivery technology was safe and well tolerated

5 Jun 2006

Drought-induced amplification key to West Nile transmission

The spread of West Nile Virus appears to be triggered by a complex interaction of mosquitoes, nesting birds and specific weather patterns, scientists say, which leads to "amplification" of the virus within mosquito populations.

9 May 2006

Ceftriaxone may help fight dementia in HIV patients

An antibiotic commonly used to treat a variety of serious infections may also help prevent dementia in HIV patients, according to a test-tube study of human brain cells by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine neurologist Jeffrey Rumbaugh, M.D., Ph.D.

7 Apr 2006