what is the West Nile Virus and what causes it?

Answer 1

West Nile virus is a virus of the family Flaviviridae, found in both tropical and temperate regions. It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. The main route of human infection is through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The virus is mostly maintained in birds (in the Western hemisphere, particularly the American Robin and the American Crow). Female mosquitoes, mainly of the species Culex pipiens, Culex restuan, and Culex quinquefasciatus, bite infected birds, carry the virus in their salivary glands, and infect other birds when they bite again. Culex pipiens is thought to be the main mosquito species which transmits the virus from birds to mammals. In mammals the virus does not multiply as readily, and it is believed that mosquitoes biting infected mammals do not further transmit the virus. A 2004 paper in Science found that Culex pipiens mosquitoes existed in two populations in Europe, one which bites birds and one which bites humans. In North America 40% of Culex pipiens were found to be hybrids of the two types which bite both birds and humans, providing a vector for West Nile virus. This is thought to provide an explanation of why the West Nile disease has spread more quickly in North America than Europe.

It was initially believed that direct human-to-human transmission was impossible, but in 2002 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered the transmission of West Nile virus through blood transfusion and organ transplants as well as through breast milk, prenatal infection, and occupational exposure. Blood banks in the US now routinely screen for the virus amongst their donors during the epidemic season. In Britain, as a precautionary measure, the National Blood Service runs a test for this disease in donors who donate within 28 days of a visit to the United States or Canada.

Answer 2

It relies upon, have they'd the shot before? in the experience that they have got had the shot before they recommend getting the vacination each and every three hundred and sixty 5 days. If the pony has never had the vaccine and has been by 2 seasons of West Nile odds are they have been uncovered and function organic immunity to it. What concerns me about the drug is the shortcoming of valid testing. in case you're taking one hundred horses and shoot them finished of West Nile, they discern in basic terms 30% receives it. Of that 30% (33 horses) perhaps 50% will educate medical indications. Out of those 16 horses, perhaps 4 will be so affected they might want to be placed down. perhaps. nonetheless looks really undesirable correct? In testing the vaccine, they draw blood once they offer the vaccine. The vaccine might want to produce a measurable quantity of antibodies to the virus (IGM). yet they have under no circumstances been in a position to attempt this. A horse that receives the virus certainly will improve antibodies. A horse that receives the vaccine - no count number what number circumstances - will under no circumstances educate an advance in antibodies. So how can they run a managed try? there's no way that they could. they could't tell if the vaccine worked. and on the grounds that not each and every horse it fairly is on the marketplace in contact with the virus easily contracts it, you won't be able to tell what horses nonetheless had the virus yet did not fall ill. so as a effect you get a set of drug businesses that are banking in on a drug that probable would not do a lot. If in basic terms about 5% easily die from West Nile certainly, then it really is wise that the vaccine protects ninety 5% of the horses that get it. If each person recalls the BS that got here with the Potomac Horse Fever vaccine you recognize that the drug businesses are not above telling a misinform make some funds. they prefer to apply lines like, "it isn't acceptable, in spite of the undeniable fact that this is the whole difficulty we've in the present day."

Answer 3

West Nile virus is a virus carried by birds which infect masquitos that feed on the blood of those birds. The virus is then transmitted to people, and other animals, through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Answer 4

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging infectious disease that made its first appearance in the United States in 1999. The microbe that causes the infection belongs to a group of disease-causing viruses known as flaviviruses that are usually spread by ticks or mosquitoes.

for more information check out:
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/westnile.htm

Answer 5

it's a virus caused by misquitos. The misquitos carry the virus and spread it to humans. Be sure to use 100% deet when going outside, and drain or stay away from standing water holes, puddles, etc. You can find the OffSpray 100% deet at Walmart and other stores.

Answer 6

West Nile is something that the government released to us that causes more people to die so they can get their fn quota on statistics!