What You Need To Know About West Nile Virus

The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito borne virus that infects mostly birds. The virus is also known to infect human and other mammals. Once infected, an individual exhibits one of three infection effects. In the first case, the patient shows no symptoms, in the second case symptoms include a mild fever known as the West Nile Fever, and in the third case the result is West Nile encephalitis or meningitis, however, chances of anyone contracting the severe infection are small. The Mayo Clinic offers comprehensive information on symptoms and treatment of the WNV.

Centers of Disease Control and the West Nile Virus

The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) has a lot of information available relating to the WNV. The website has information of the number of diseases reported in 2008, Information and Guidance for Clinicians, Virus History and Distribution, CDC West Nile Virus Fact Sheet, and a Questions and Answer page. The CDC also has a page where people can report dead birds and identify dead bird species.

Information on Developments in West Nile Virus Research

Visit the National Institute of Health for information on current research into prevention of the virus and research in Diagnosis of the disease. Individuals living in areas where WNV infection risks are high can find information on the new techniques in the screening for the virus at this FDA website. For up to date information on the WNV from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the NIH, visit the Recent News and Media page.

Avoiding the West Nile Virus While Camping

The American Camp Association’s (ACA) website offers general information about the West Nile virus for campers. More information is also available in the association’s Outdoor Guide.

Other Information

The USEPA offers information on Mosquito Control

For information about West Nile Virus in the workplace visit National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

West Nile Virus Clinical trials

Glossary of terms related to WNV

Interesting research paper How the Body Rubs Out West Nile virus from the journal Science.

From the National Pesticide Information Center WNV, vet and wildlife information.