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West Nile Virus is a potentially severe illness caused by an arbovirus, primarily spread by mosquitoes. It was first isolated in 1937 in Uganda and has since been identified in all contiguous U.S. states. While many infected individuals may experience no symptoms, serious cases can lead to high fever, headache, and neurological complications. Control measures include mosquito spraying and avoidance strategies. Learn about the history, symptoms, and prevention methods of this significant public health concern.
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West Nile Virus Nicholas McDonald
What is West Nile Virus? • A potentially serious illness caused by an arbovirus transmitted primarily by mosquitoes.
History • 1937 isolated in an adult woman in Uganda • 1950’s ecology characterized in Egypt • 1957 identified as a cause of human meningitis and encephalitis during an outbreak in Israel • 1960’s equine disease identified in Egypt and France • 1999 first case identified in New York in the United States • 2012 identified in some form in all 48 contiguous US States
Signs and Symptoms • Serious Symptoms: 1 in 150 develop high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. • Milder Symptoms: 20% develop fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. • Some show no symptoms at all.
Distribution and Control • Some incidence of disease in all 48 contiguous States. • Control through spraying of mosquitoes and avoidance.
Works Cited • CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm • NIH: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004457/ • PA West Nile Virus Control Program: http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/