West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes are the primary carrier of the West Nile Virus. Humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses, and a few other mammals are susceptible to contracting the West Nile Virus. Rarely, the virus can infect a foetus through the placenta, transfused blood, or a transplanted organ.

The main mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States is West Nile Virus. The most typical way for HPV to spread to people is by a mosquito bite. The mosquito season, which begins in the summer and lasts until the fall, is when West Nile Virus cases develop. There are no vaccinations or treatments available for West Nile Virus in humans. Fortunately, the majority of West Nile Virus carriers have no symptoms. One in five infected individuals have fever and other symptoms. Out of 150 infected individuals one develops a serious illness. By applying insect repellent, avoiding mosquito bites by donning long sleeves and long pants, and using insect repellent, you can lower your chance of contracting West Nile Virus.

Outbreaks

In 1937, a woman in Uganda's West Nile district became the first person to contract the West Nile Virus. In the Nile delta region, it was discovered in birds (crows and columbiformes) in 1953. Prior to 1997, West Nile Virus was not thought to be harmful to birds, but at that time a more virulent strain in Israel killed several species of birds and showed symptoms of encephalitis and paralysis. West Nile Virus -related human infections have been documented for more than 50 years in numerous nations throughout the world. A West Nile Virus that was circulating in Israel and Tunisia was imported in 1999 and caused a sizable and spectacular outbreak that swept across the contiguous United States of America (USA) in the years that followed. The West Nile Virus outbreak in the USA from 1999 to 2010 made it clear that the globe is seriously endangered by the importation and establishment of vector-borne viruses outside of their natural home. The countries with the most outbreaks were Greece, Israel, Romania, Russia, and the USA. Sites of outbreaks are along important bird migration routes. West Nile Virus was widespread in its initial distribution area, which included Australia, parts of West Asia, the Middle East, and much of Africa. The virus has expanded since being introduced in the USA in 1999, and it is now well-established from Canada to Venezuela.

Transmission

The majority of the time, bites from infected mosquitoes result in human infection. When mosquitoes feed on sick birds, which have the virus in their blood for a few days, they become infected. Eventually, the virus enters the salivary glands of the mosquito. The virus may be introduced into people and animals at later blood meals (when mosquitoes bite), where it might grow and perhaps cause sickness. Contact with other affected animals, their blood, or other tissues can also spread the infection.

Human illnesses have very seldom been transmitted through breast milk, blood transfusions, or organ transplants. One instance of transplacental (mother-to-child) West Nile Virus transmission has been documented. When the usual infection control procedures have been taken, there hasn't been any reported human-to-human transmission of West Nile Virus through casual contact or transmission of West Nile Virus to healthcare personnel. It has been reported that laboratory staff have contracted West Nile Virus.

Signs and Symptoms

Most West Nile Virus patients only experience brief, moderate flu-like symptoms that last a few days. In most cases, symptoms start to show 3 to 14 days after infection.

West Nile fever develops in about 20% of those who are infected. The most typical signs of West Nile fever are as follows:

Skin rash across the body's trunk, fever, headaches, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes

Older persons are primarily affected by the more severe version of the West Nile Virus. Headache, high temperature, stiff neck, stupor (a state of diminished consciousness, excessive lethargy, and limited response to external stimuli), disorientation, and other symptoms can result from the virus crossing the blood-brain barrier. convulsions, tremors, and coma muscle tremors and even paralysis.

Complications

The West Nile Virus typically causes minor, flu-like symptoms. However, the infection might result in fatal conditions like

·       Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

·       Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)

·       Meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membrane)

Diagnosis

There are numerous ways to diagnose West Nile Virus, including:

IgM antibody capture, neutralisation assays, viral detection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and virus isolation by cell culture all performed on two serial specimens collected at one-week intervals. These assays looked for IgG antibody sero-conversion (or a significant increase in antibody titers).

Nearly all serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples taken from West Nile Virus -infected patients at the time of their clinical presentation show the presence of IgM. IgM serum antibodies may remain for over a year.

Treatment

For West Nile Virus infection, there is no vaccination or specialised medication available.

Fever can be reduced and certain symptoms can be relieved by over-the-counter pain medicines.

Patients with serious conditions may require hospitalisation to get supportive care, including intravenous fluids, painkillers, prevention of secondary infections and nursing attention.

Consult your healthcare practitioner if you believe you or a family member may have West Nile Virus sickness.

Prevention

Avoiding mosquito contact and eliminating standing water, where mosquitoes grow, are your best bets for preventing West Nile Virus and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

·       Clear out the gutters on the roof.

·       Remove any standing water from pool covers or empty any pools that aren't in use.

·       Water in pet dishes and birdbaths should be changed frequently.

·       Eliminate any old tyres or other containers that may store water and act as a mosquito breeding ground.

·       Fix or install screens on your doors and windows.

The creation of an active animal health surveillance system to identify new cases in birds and horses is crucial in order to provide early warning for veterinary and human public health authorities because West Nile Virus outbreaks in animals occur before human cases do.