Dallas Morning News: Study: Mild winter, wet spring to blame for Dallas County’s deadly West Nile outbreak

Thomas B. Fomby

Dallas Morning News: Study: Mild winter, wet spring to blame for Dallas County’s deadly West Nile outbreak

SMU West Nile Virus, FombyThe Dallas Morning News covered the research of SMU economist Thomas B. Fomby and SMU alumnus Robert W. Haley, who co-authored a new study on West Nile Virus. Fomby and Haley, along with other researchers, analyzed a decade of data related to West Nile Virus and, in particular, the 2012 West Nile epidemic in Dallas County. The analysis allowed them to identify important precursors of West Nile Virus outbreaks that allow for early and effective intervention.

Mosquito indexing system identifies best time to act against potential West Nile Virus outbreaks

Mosquito biting 400x300Researchers who analyzed a decade of data related to West Nile Virus and, in particular, the 2012 West Nile epidemic in Dallas County, have identified important precursors of West Nile Virus outbreaks that allow for early and effective intervention. The analysis found that the epidemics begin early, after unusually warm winters and are often in similar geographical locations.

SMU-North Texas Food Bank study will analyze causes of hunger in Dallas and rural North Texas

Economists at SMU will analyze the roles social networks and isolation play in fighting hunger in North Texas. Recent studies have found that household economic resources are not the only factor contributing to food insecurity, according to Thomas B. Fomby, SMU professor of economics.

Study: Antibiotics, instead of emergency surgery, may better treat cases of nonperforating appendicitis

Emergency-sign-400x300.jpgAntibiotics rather than surgery may better treat cases of appendicitis when the appendix hasn't burst, says a new study from SMU and UT Southwestern Medical School.

The study's authors say the findings suggest that nonperforating appendicitis may be unrelated to perforating appendicitis, in which the appendix has burst.

Instead, the study found that nonperforating childhood appendicitis, which historically has been treated with emergency surgery, seems to be a disease similar to nonperforating adult diverticulitis, which is often treated with antibiotics.

Appendicitis linked to flu-like virus outbreaks

flu%20virus%2Clorez.jpgThe research of SMU faculty Thomas B. Fomby and Wayne A. Woodward has been published in the January issue of the journal Archives of Surgery. Fomby is a professor and chairman of the Department of Economics and Woodward is a professor in the Department of Statistical Science.

The research described in the article "Association of Viral Infection and Appendicitis" looks at the relationship between appendicitis and seasonal viral infections. The scientists reviewed 36 years of hospital discharge data and concluded there is a relationship to a flu-like virus.