The West Nile Virus is a part of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) antigenic complex that includes 4

Most people bitten by an infected mosquito never get sick, and most only suffer flu-like symptoms, making it sometimes hard to detect if you have the West Nile virus. West Nile fever is usually described as a febrile, influenza like illness, characterized by an abrupt onset (incubation period is 3 to 6 days) of moderate to high fever, some chills, headache, fatigue, conjunctivitis, retrobulbar pain, maculopapular or roseolar rash, lymphadenopathy, anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and respiratory symptoms (Fine 2000). In less than fifteen percent of the cases, acute aseptic meningitis or encephalitis, anterior myelitis, hepatosplenomegaly, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and myocarditis can occur (Fine 2000). Ten days after infection in an immunocompetent febrile patient, the virus was still detected in the blood, and for immunocompromised patients it was recovered in the blood anywhere from 22 to 28 days, with peak viremia occurring 4 to 8 days post infection (Fine 2000). Children, persons over fifty, and persons with weak immune systems have the greatest chance of contracting the West Nile virus. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection, although in more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated, often involving hospitalization, intravenous fluids, airway management, respiratory support (ventilator), prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care.

In the United States, first attempts have been made to predict West Nile virus human epidemics on the basis of avian mortality data (Peterson 2001). These outbreaks have been difficult to predict, however, because of incomplete knowledge of the virus complex ecology. To prevent WN virus infection in humans, extensive early season larval control has been recommended, as have the development and dissemination of public health messages for reducing personal exposure to mosquito bites (Peterson 2001). The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these preventive measures, along with application of pesticides to control adult mosquitos, require further evaluation. These evaluations are likely to be hindered by the sporadic nature of human West Nile epidemics. Given the incomplete and evolving knowledge of the ecology and public health impact of West Nile virus, as well as the effectiveness of control efforts, the virus will remain an important public health challenge in the next decade.

The potential for contracting this virus can be reduced by a number of ways: Use DEET (a repellant that is sprayed on skin or clothing); wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors; place mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors with infants; consider staying indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening, which are peak mosquito biting times; and

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