What animal causes the West Nile virus?
The virus has been found in Africa, western Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean region of Europe and recently in the United States. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus after feeding on infected wild birds and then transmit the virus through bites to people, animals and other birds.
What mosquitoes carry West Nile virus?
West Nile virus is spread by the Culex species of mosquito. The main vector species in the U.S. are Culex pipiens, Culex tarsalis, and Culex quinquefasciatus. These mosquitoes typically feed from evening to morning.
Does West Nile stay with you forever?
Can people have persistent infection with West Nile virus? The findings of this study suggest that, in some people, West Nile virus may persist in the kidneys. There have been a few reports of persistent West Nile virus found in brain, spinal fluid, and blood of people who were immunocompromised.
Does West Nile virus stay in your body forever?
Signs and symptoms of West Nile fever usually last a few days. But signs and symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis can linger for weeks or months. Certain neurological effects, such as muscle weakness, can be permanent.
How does the West Nile virus get to people?
It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick.
How long does it take for West Nile to show symptoms?
If diagnosed and treated quickly, the outlook for West Nile virus recovery is good. If you have West Nile virus, you will typically show the first virus symptoms within three to 14 days of being bitten. West Nile virus symptoms vary in severity. Severe symptoms can include: A severe infection can last for several weeks.
Who was the first nonhuman primate to get the West Nile virus?
The Barbary macaque, Macaca sylvanus, was the first nonhuman primate to contract WNV. Both the American and Israeli strains are marked by high mortality rates in infected avian populations; the presence of dead birds—especially Corvidae —can be an early indicator of the arrival of the virus. Culex pipiens mosquitoes are a vector for WNV.
What does the capsid protein in West Nile virus do?
The capsid proteins are one of the first proteins created in an infected cell; the capsid protein is a structural protein whose main purpose is to package RNA into the developing viruses. The capsid has been found to prevent apoptosis by affecting the Akt pathway. The West Nile virus genome. Modified after Guzman et al. 2010.
What are my chances of getting West Nile virus?
The odds of getting the most severe forms of West Nile disease are about one in 150. The overall death rate in severe disease is about 10%. That makes the overall odds of dying from a West Nile infection about one in 1,500. These odds aren’t the same for everyone.
Does West Nile virus have a cure?
Because it’s a viral condition, West Nile virus doesn’t have a cure. But you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, to relieve symptoms of West Nile virus such as muscle aches and headaches.
How does West Nile virus affect the body?
West Nile virus affects the central nervous system. Mild infections cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash.
What is the prognosis for West Nile virus?
West Nile Virus Infection Prognosis. Most people fully recover. In others, particularly the elderly and some young children, the disease can progress to cause encephalitis, meningitis, permanent neurological defects, and infrequently, death.