West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus

Symptoms - Most people infected won't have any type of illness. - 20% will develop West Nile Fever: which includes fever, headache, body ache, and occasionally a skin rash and swollen lymph glands. - Symptoms of severe infection include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. - Symptoms will appear 3-14 days after virus enters body.

Description West Nile Virus is a disease caused by a mosquito bite. It is part of the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of viruses and is found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly affects birds, but can affect humans, as well as other animals, by mosquitoes infecting them. They then transfer the blood to humans through a mosquito bite.

Transmission West Nile Virus is transmitted through mosquitoes. The mosquitoes obtain the virus by feeding on dead birds, which have the virus in their blood. The mosquito then bites a human, thus tranferring the virus to us.

Treatment - There is no cure, because WNV is a virus. Mild Cases: - Resting in bed. - Drinking plenty of fluids. - Medication, such as aspirin, to relieve fever or discomfort. Severe Cases: - •Intravenous fluids (IV) - •Medications to control seizures, nausea, vomiting, or brain swelling - •Breathing support from a ventilator - •Prevention of secondary infections

Prevention - Apply insect repellant to exposed skin - Wear clothing that covers your whole body - Remove items that may collect water - Avoid getting bitten by mosquitos

Structure The structure of the West Nile Virus Pathogen is a single stranded RNA virus. It belongs to the Flaviviridae family. It also contains an envelope.