JAMA: 2012-10-03, Vol. 308, No. 13, Author in the Room™ Audio Interview

Interview with Robert W. Haley, MD, author of Controlling Urban Epidemics of West Nile Virus Infection. Summary Points: Epidemics of West Nile neuroinvasive disease have become a serious medical and public health challenge that will be with us for the foreseeable future. Ultra low-volume aerial spraying of urban areas, guided by surveillance of mosquito trap positivity and human cases, is necessary and cost-effective to prevent chronic neurologic disability and death. Complete, accurate, and timely diagnosis of West Nile viral disease in an epidemic is vitally important to spare patients needless prolonged antimicrobial therapy and build support for public health control measures.