West nile virus infection

[Little_Girl]

West Nile virus infection is a viral disease spread primarily from mosquitoes to people. Most people have mild or no symptoms, but some people develop a severe infection that affects the central nervous system.

West Nile virus infection is present in the contiguous United States, southern Canada, Mexico, South America, and Caribbean Islands, as well as in Africa, the Middle East, southern Europe, the former Soviet Union, India, and Indonesia. A closely related virus, Kunjin virus, is present in Australia.
Symptoms, if any, vary in severity but may include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.
Rarely, people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, infection affecting the central nervous system.
To diagnose West Nile virus infection, doctors do a spinal tap or blood tests to check for the antibodies to the virus.
There are no vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection in humans, but people can reduce the risk of transmission by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites.
Most people with West Nile virus infection do not need treatment, but those who develop infections in their brain or spinal cord require close monitoring and supportive treatment, such a mechanical ventilation.

West Nile virus is present in many species of birds. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite infected birds. Infected mosquitoes then spread West Nile virus to people and other animals by biting them. In a very small number of cases, West Nile virus has been spread through blood transfusions and organ transplantations and from a mother to baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.