The West Nile Virus: What it is and here is what you should know

West Nile Virus or WNV was first identified in 1937 in a woman from the West Nile district in Uganda. However, it is now commonly found in other parts of Africa, Middle East and North America. Birds are hosts of the West Nile Virus and is transmitted to humans by the bite of Culex mosquitoes; however, 80% of people don't show any symptoms. The disease is also transmitted in horses.

The West Nile Virus is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae. Vaccines for this disease is not available for humans but are available for horses.

What is the West Nile Virus?

The West Nile Virus is a single-stranded RNA virus caused due to the bites of the Culex species of mosquitoes. The infected mosquitoes are the principal vectors for transmitting the infection to human beings and animals. The virus was first recorded in 1937 in a woman from the West Nile district in Uganda.

Birds like crows, doves, and pigeons are the reservoir hosts of the West Nile Virus, which the mosquitoes suck while feeding on them. Subsequently, the virus transmits into their salivary glands and human beings. Alternatively, the infection can also get transmitted through blood transfusion and from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy.

What are the symptoms?
While the virus has proved to be fatal for several people across the globe, it remains asymptomatic for 80% of the infected individuals—the staying 20% experience what’s known as West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease. The symptoms for these individuals include headaches, body aches, swollen glands, fatigue, fever, rashes, and nausea. Chronic infection of the virus can cause paralysis, encephalitis, and meningitis and may also lead to death.

Severity is found in 1 of every 150 cases of the West Nile Virus. The effects caused on the central nervous system by the infection might be permanent. Also, the chances of fatalities increase in patients with co-morbidities and subjects with compromised immune systems.