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LOGAN — Kyle Kesler couldn't believe it when he and his colleagues recently figured out something that's a pretty big deal.
"What we're really starting to hone in on is the actual cause of death for the West Nile virus," which is a first, he said.
"And by learning exactly what that mechanism is and what's happening, treatments can be tailored to eliminate those problems or work directly on the causes of fatality with West nile virus," he said.
Scientists at Utah State University have been working on this for the past 11 years.
"We've had incremental steps along the way — benchmarks we've been happy with — but for me, I think this is the biggest breakthrough that we've had," said John Morrey, director of antiviral research.
Scientists infected the neurons of mice and hamsters and found that the neurological cause of death was respiratory failure. And there is an indication that that's how humans are dying.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the number of cases of West Nile virus nationally went up by 40 percent from last week.
So far, about 1600 people have been sickened and 66 people have died this year.
While most cases are in the South, Utah has seen one West Nile case this season.
This is the most intense years for the virus the U.S. has ever seen.
"If that is the case, then neuroscientists know what part of the brain to focus on in order to identify a potential therapy," Morrey said.
Venkatraman Siddharthan, with USU Antiviral Research said that would allow scientists to map areas of the brain where the infection starts, what the infection looks like and what kinds of cells are infected.
The next step would be to make the research applicable to humans, but that may be years from now. But the USU team thinks it will happen.
"It gives them a direction to go," kesler said. "Now we know where to head with our treatments."
The goal is to save lives.
"The treatments are coming," Kesler said. "There is going to be some success in this field and with West Nile virus in the future."
