West Nile virus

West Nile virus is a virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae. It is primarily an infection of birds, often proving fatal to species like crows. The virus poses a threat to human health when infected birds are bitten by mosquitoes, which then transmit the virus to humans.

In humans, West Nile virus can cause a flu-like illness known as West Nile fever. While most infections are mild or asymptomatic, in some cases, the virus can affect the central nervous system, leading to conditions like West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, which can cause symptoms such as headache, fever, and neck stiffness. In severe instances, it can result in paralysis or death. The virus was first isolated in Uganda in 1937 and has since spread globally, reaching the United States in 1999. Prevention methods include using insect repellent and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed.12