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General Information
What is West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus is a flavivirus which is carried by mosquitoes. It is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected bird, and then bites another animal or human.
West Nile virus, West Nile fever, and West Nile encephalitis are different terms describing the same virus but refers to different medical states. Originally found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East, West Nile virus was first confirmed in the United States in 1999 and in Kansas in 2002.
West Nile Fever is characterized by flu-like symptoms which last just a few days. Symptoms normally show up 3-15 days after the mosquito bite.
A more severe case of this virus can be “West Nile encephalitis,” West Nile meningitis or West Nile meningoencephalitis.” Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, and meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it.
Very rarely, acute West Nile Virus infection has been associated with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). AFP presents as a polio-like syndrome without pain or loss of sensation. Patients do not usually have meningitis or encephalitis if AFP is present.
The exact cause of AFP in West Nile Virus has not been thoroughly determined, although anterior horn cell involvement with a resultant poliomyelitis-like syndrome is most likely. Risk factors for developing AFP are not well known, but are being studied. AFP from West Nile Virus must be differentiated from Guillain-Barre syndrome (which can also cause weakness and sensory loss) because treatments for Guillain-Barre are not effective for West Nile Virus and may be detrimental to persons with West Nile Virus. For more information see: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol9no7/03-0129.htm .
Less than 1% of people infected by West Nile Virus develop serious illness. Most people infected have no symptoms at all.
To get additional information on the West Nile Virus in the United States and Canada, try one of the following outside links, grouped by main subject:
- Human Health
- WNV history and prevention
- WNV in Horses
- State and Regional Information
- Maps and WNV Distribution
- Mosquito Control
- WNV Surveillance Program in Kansas
- WNV and the Blood Supply
Use this handy search feature to find additional information in the Kansas State University webpages
Human Health:
Information on human cases of West Nile Virus meningitis or encephalitis in the state of Kansas, including clarification of the human testing policy and links for additional information.
Pests That Affect Human Health: Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. A K-State extension publication with info on the virus and mosquito control (pdf format**).
Fact Sheet concerning West Nile Virus and Breastfeeding, from the CDC. [view as pdf (**) or html].
Kansas Department of Health and Environment, for the latest news releases within the state: http://www.kdhe.state.ks.us/westnile/
CDC, Center for Vector Borne Diseases, includes background information and slide shows on various topics: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/. Also: Frequently asked questions, including information on the risk of acquiring WNV from hunter-killed animals.
United States Department of Agriculture, includes fact sheet : http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/wnv/wnv.html
Fact Sheet for animal owners and hunters, from the Kansas Department of Health. [view as html.].
Fact Sheet concerning West Nile Virus and Breastfeeding, from the CDC. [view as pdf (**) or html].
Cornell Environmental Risk Analysis Program's "What's Going on with the West Nile Virus" webpages.
Internet Health Directory - A great resource for additional links to state and national websites pertaining to West Nile Virus and other diseases.
Virus History and Prevention:
West Nile Virus Center website: a good resource for information on the virus and prevention measures: http://www.westnilecenter.org
A public document, produced in cooperation with USDA CREES and the Regional Pest Management Center, is available in pdf format. You need adobe acrobat to view this document (you can download it from http://www.adobe.com). The file is 195K, and has detailed information about the virus, including it's history, how it is transmitted and what you can do to protect yourself. Click here to download the National Pest Alert document on West Nile Virus in North America.
National Safety Council data sheet: http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/westnile.htm. This site includes - Responses to several frequently asked questions, comprehensive bibliography of WNV-related research articles and a bibliography of extension materials for the general public, in addition to maps and historical information.
West Nile Virus in Horses:
West Nile virus in horses, from Fort Dodge vaccine website, includes a short movie showing symptoms in infected horses: http://www.equinewestnile.com/about.htm
State and Regional Information:
National Biological Information site, with links to State and Regional information: http://westnilevirus.nbii.gov/
Canada's website on the virus: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/wnv-vwn/index.html
Pennsylvania's West Nile Surveillance program website, full of all sorts of useful information: http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/
West Nile Fever.com site (New Jersey): http://www.westnilefever.com/
Maps and Distribution:
National Atlas.gov site - distribution maps: http://www.nationalatlas.gov/virusmap.html
Center for Integration of National Disaster Information (CINDI) - regional maps: http://cindi.usgs.gov/hazard/event/west_nile/west_nile.html
U.S. Geological Survey site, includes fact sheets and press releases: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/research/west_nile/west_nile.html .
Mosquito Control:
Pests That Affect Human Health: Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. A K-State extension publication with info on the virus and mosquito control (pdf format**).
United States Environmental Protection Agency, site with information on mosquito control: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/skeeters.htm .
Department of Agriculture, Pesticides and Fertilizer Program .
Kansas Surveillance Program information:
West Nile Virus and the Blood Supply
CDC information on West Nile Virus and blood transfusions: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/transfusion.htm
The American Association of Blood Banks has issued the following guidelines to ensure the safety of the blood supply. http://www.aabb.org/Pressroom/In_the_News/wnab03-8.htm