Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV)
Contact Info
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
Jamestown Canyon Virus Statistics
- In 2018, 11 cases of Jamestown Canyon virus disease were reported in Minnesota. Patients were aged 21 to 82 years (median of 58 years) and 10 (91%) cases were male. Seven (64%) patients experienced serious illness affecting the central nervous system (meningitis or encephalitis). Most cases were residents of counties in north-central and northeastern Minnesota although the virus is likely widespread throughout Minnesota.
- Much remains unknown about the clinical spectrum of Jamestown Canyon virus disease, but the typical presentation includes fever, and in more severe cases, meningitis or encephalitis.
- Cases of Jamestown Canyon virus occur throughout the United States but are only reported sporadically. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began reporting for JCV in 2004 and has since received a few reports of JCV cases each year. Under-diagnosis and under-reporting of disease are likely as diagnostic testing for JCV is not widely available. Increasing numbers of cases in recent years may be due to increased awareness and testing.
- Human disease cases occur during warmer months when mosquitoes are active, most commonly between May and September.
Charts and Graphs
- Reported Cases of Jamestown Canyon virus disease in Minnesota by Year, 2013-2018 (PDF)
Graph showing the number of reported cases of Jamestown Canyon virus disease in Minnesota by year.
Annual summaries
- Arboviral Disease, 2019
Minnesota Department of Health Disease Control Newsletter Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2019