West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus that can cause neurological disease and death in people. It is maintained in a natural cycle involving transmission between birds and mosquitoes, but humans, horses, and other mammals can also become infected.
West Nile Virus: Key Facts
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A virus that can cause neurological disease and death. |
| Transmission | Primarily through infected mosquitoes, which acquire the virus from birds. |
| Affected Species | Humans, horses, and other mammals. |
| Geographic Distribution | Commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and West Asia. |
Transmission Cycle
The West Nile virus transmission cycle is complex and primarily involves:
- Mosquitoes becoming infected by feeding on infected birds.
- Infected mosquitoes then transmitting the virus to humans and other animals through bites.
- Humans and other mammals are considered dead-end hosts because they generally do not develop high enough levels of the virus in their blood to infect other mosquitoes.
Symptoms and Risks
WNV can cause a range of symptoms, from mild flu-like illness to severe neurological complications such as:
- Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
- Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord)
- Paralysis
According to information available (03-Oct-2017), West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause neurological disease and death in people.
