What is West Nile virus?
West Nile Virus is a virus commonly found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East. It is not known how long it has been in the United States, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe the virus probably has been in the eastern US since early summer of 1999. It is closely related to the St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the US. The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and other animals.
West Nile Virus (WMV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Outbreaks of West Nile Virus have occurred in Egypt, Asia, Israel, Africa, and some parts of Europe and Australia. The virus was first found in the U.S. in the fall of 1999 in New York City and has spread to southern and Midwestern states, including Michigan.
West Nile virus is an arbovirus (short for arthropod-borne virus) that causes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Arboviruses, including West Nile virus, are transmitted by blood-feeding insects such as mosquitoes. Most infections with West Nile virus have been identified in wild birds, horses and humans, but the virus can also infect various other wild and domestic animals.
AWest Nile virus causes a disease that is usually transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Thousands of people in Colorado were infected with West Nile virus in 2003. Sixty-three people died. Many people who became seriously ill are continuing to recover while others suffered permanent disabilities.
