DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Infectious Disease

West Nile Virus

MODERATE

A mosquito-borne flavivirus most commonly transmitted by Culex species mosquitoes. Can cause neurological disease in humans. Birds are primary hosts. First identified in Uganda in 1937; emerged in North America in 1999.

Global Affected

50.0K

Countries

91

Symptoms

Often asymptomatic (80%)
Fever
Headache
Body aches
Joint pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Rash
Neuroinvasive disease (severe)

Treatment Options

Supportive care
Pain relievers
Antiemetics
IV fluids
Respiratory support (severe)
Mechanical ventilation (if needed)

Risk Factors

1Outdoor exposure
2Summer/fall season
3Age >60
4Immunocompromised
5Organ transplant recipients
6Mosquito exposure
7Endemic area residence

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1IgM ELISA (serum/CSF)
  • 2Plaque reduction neutralization test
  • 3RT-PCR (early)
  • 4CSF analysis
  • 5Clinical diagnosis

Prognosis

80% asymptomatic. 20% develop West Nile fever. <1% develop neuroinvasive disease. Neuroinvasive: 10% mortality, many with persistent deficits.

Prevention

  • Mosquito bite prevention
  • Eliminating standing water
  • Community mosquito control
  • Screening blood donations
  • Protective clothing

Research Status

No specific treatment or human vaccine available. Supportive care for severe cases. Several vaccine candidates in clinical trials. Research into neurovirulence factors. Improved mosquito surveillance and control.

Affected Countries

United StatesCanadaMexicoBrazilArgentinaUYRussiaUkraineRomaniaBulgariaGreeceItalyFranceSpainPortugalGermanyAustriaHungarySerbiaCroatiaBAALMKMEXKTurkeyCYIsraelEgyptAlgeriaTunisiaMoroccoLibyaSudanEthiopiaERDJSOKenyaUgandaTanzaniaRWBIDR CongoCGGAGQCMCFTDNENigeriaBJTGGhanaCILRSLGNGWSenegalGMMRMaliBFIndiaPakistanBangladeshLKNPIndonesiaMalaysiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamKHLAMMChinaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaNew ZealandSouth AfricaBWNAZambiaZimbabweMozambiqueMalawiMG

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov
  • https://www.who.int
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.