West Nile virus detected in USA

In news– The New York City Health Department has recently announced that the West Nile virus was detected in two people, as well as in a “record number” of infected mosquitoes throughout the city.

What is the West Nile virus?

The West Nile virus is spread through a bite from an infected mosquito and can infect humans, birds and other mammals.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Birds are the main host of the virus and mosquitoes become infected by biting birds.
West Nile Virus is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae.

It was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937.

It was identified in birds (crows and columbiformes) in the Nile delta region in 1953.

Members of the crow family (Corvidae) are particularly susceptible, but the virus has been detected in dead and dying birds of more than 250 species.
It cannot be spread from person to person through casual contact.
In a very small number of cases, West Nile virus has been spread through:

- Exposure in a laboratory setting
- Blood transfusion and organ transplant.
- Mother to baby, during pregnancy, delivery, or breast feeding.
Most people who are infected by West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms or may experience mild to moderate illness.
About 1 in 5 develop a fever, along with other symptoms like headaches, body aches, joint pains, diarrhea, vomiting or a rash.
And about 1 in 150 people infected develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system. Symptoms include high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, vision loss or paralysis.
Those older than 60 are at the highest risk for severe illness.
Those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, can also be at a higher risk for severe illness.
Recovery from a severe case of West Nile can take anywhere from several weeks to months, but central nervous system damage can be permanent.
A blood test can be conducted to determine a West Nile infection.
There are no vaccines or medicines that specifically treat West Nile virus infections.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to help with some symptoms and hospitalization may be necessary for more severe cases.