The Role of Pathology in an Investigation of an Outbreak of West Nile Encephalitis in New York, 1999

Authors

Wun-Ju Shieh, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Jeannette Guarner, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Marci Layton, New York City Department of Health
Annie Fine, New York City Department of Health
James Miller, New York City Department of Health
Denis Nash, CUNY School of Public HealthFollow
Grant L. Campbell, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
John T. Roehrig, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Duane J. Gubler, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sherif R. Zaki, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2000

Abstract

An outbreak of encephalitis occurred in New York City in late August 1999, the first caused by West Nile virus in North America. Histopathologic and immunopathologic examinations performed on human autopsy materials helped guide subsequent laboratory and epidemiologic investigations that led to identification of the etiologic agent.