West Nile Virus
(WNV)

West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is related to St. Louis encephalitis virus. WNV is found in Africa, Europe, and Asia (primarily in countries bordering the Mediterranean Basin). Typically, this virus results in clinical disease in only a very small percentage of humans infected. The general symptoms of West Nile fever, resulting from infection with WNV, range from fever, rash, and headache to meningitis, encephalitis, coma, and death. The fatality rate is approximately 10%.

There are no reports of WNV causing disease in domestic animals, with the exception of the horse. In contrast, there is a considerable body of serological evidence for infection of many species of wild birds and animals. It is generally accepted that birds are the principal vertebrate hosts of WNV. Migration of infected birds is the most probable mode of virus dispersion. A variety of mosquito species have been shown to transmit WNV, most notable are species of Culex and Aedes. In addition, WNV is also known to replicate in ticks, which may serve as an alternate means of transmission under certain circumstances.

For a more detailed description of West Nile Virus, the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory has an excellent online publication: The 1999 Introduction of the West Nile Virus to North America

For more information on WNV visit these other websites:

Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, July- Aug.2001 (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Issue dedicated to WNV)
West Nile Virus Information for the Horse-Owner (Long Island Veterinary Medical Association)
Frequently Asked Questions about West Nile (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
WNV Fact Sheets and Alerts (The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services)

Regional information regarding the WNV can be found at:

New York City News Flash (New York City Information)
Connecticut's Mosquito Management Program (Connecticut Information)
WNV Alerts (New Jersey Information)

Continue reading about other diseases:

Mosquito Home Page • Mosquito-borne Diseases • Surveillance • Control • EEE • SLE • Mosquito Biology • Home

Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission
PO Box 162 • Eatontown • New Jersey • 07724
(Tel) 732-542-3630 • (Fax) 732-542-3267
mosquitoes@shore.co.monmouth.nj.us

West Nile Virus (WNV)

West Nile Virus
(WNV)