Rebecca Pu and Samhitha Sunkara West Nile Virus

What is the West Nile Virus? Type of virus known as flavivirus and arbovirus (mosquito-borne virus) mainly infecting birds and mosquitos They transmit it to humans and other animals causes flu-like symptoms (West Nile fever) Has no known treatment can lead to brain inflammation You know you have it if: fever, headache, muscle weakness, encephalitis or meningitis Been around for 76 years

History of West Nile Virus disease started in West Nile Province of Uganda in 1937 from woman Outbreaks began in Middle East and Africa first documented in North America during 1999 NY outbreak Source to NY = migrating birds, mosquitoes, immigrants

How the disease is spread actually not spread from person to person Unless possibly from pregnant mother to baby spread through infected mosquitoes Mosquito gets infected from feeding on infected bird virus gets into person that mosquito bites

Symptoms for the Mildly Ill 20% of infected have mild symptoms Fever headache abdominal pain body aches nausea vomiting diarrhea lack of appetite nausea rash sore throat Swollen lymph nodes 80% people show no symptoms milder symptoms last 3-16 days

SyMptoms For the Seriously Ill usually occur within 3- 14 days 1/150 people infected develop serious illness. serious symptoms include High fever headache neck stiffness disorientation coma tremors convulsions muscle weakness vision loss numbness paralysis confusion brain inflammation symptoms can last several months

Current Research Pasteur Institute in Paris found a West Nile gene West Nile gene allows the virus to continue reproducing Lab in Fort Collins sorts out mosquitoes to track source bugs are tested to know: rate at which the virus is spreading where pesticides are needed whether the pesticides are effective or not

Treatment of the Disease No cure, no vaccine, no specific treatment Mild case treatment = resting, drinking, and medicine to relieve fever and discomfort severe cases = hospital’s supportive care hospital helps body fight disease on its own Necessary fluids given through an IV vein ventilators help breathing Medications for seizures, nausea, vomiting, or brain swelling

Who is most susceptible Very old people Very young people People with high blood pressure People with diabetes

Works Cited Abramovitz, Melissa. West Nile Virus. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2004. Print Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. "West Nile Virus." PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Jan. 0001. Web. 11 Feb. 2013 Considine, Glenn D., and Peter H. Kulik. Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York, NY: Wiley-Interscience, 2002. Prin

Works Cited “Questions and Answers." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013 “West Nile Virus Facts." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. "West Nile Virus Treatment." West Nile Virus Treatment. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.

Works Cited "West Nile Virus: What You Need To Know." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 11 Feb. 2013 "West Nile Virus-Treatment Overview." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013 WHITMAN, JAKE. "West Nile Virus: Fighting the Largest Outbreak in U.S. History." ABC News. ABC News Network, 17 Sept. 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2013