What pathogen causes the West Nile virus?
Causes, incidence, and risk factors West Nile virus is a type of organism called a flavivirus and is similar to many other mosquito-borne viruses, including Japanese encephalitis (which is found in Asia). Researchers believe the virus is spread when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a person.
What is the scientific name for West Nile virus?
Family: Flaviviridae. Genus: Flavivirus. Species: West Nile virus.
What type of parasite is West Nile virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) and avian malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium are mosquito-borne pathogens that may produce severe disease and illness in humans and birds, respectively, and circulate in an endemic form in southern Europe.
Is West Nile virus a bloodborne pathogen?
Diseases that are not usually transmitted directly by blood contact, but rather by insect or other vector, are more usefully classified as vector-borne disease, even though the causative agent can be found in blood. Vector-borne diseases include West Nile virus, zika fever and malaria.
Is West Nile virus RNA or DNA?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a positive-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, a large family with 3 main genera (flavivirus, hepacivirus and pestivirus).
Why is West Nile virus called West Nile?
Where did West Nile virus come from? West Nile virus is named after the West Nile district of Uganda where the virus was first isolated in 1937. Outbreaks of the West Nile illness have occurred in Egypt, Asia, Israel, South Africa, and parts of Europe and Australia.
How is West Nile virus diagnosis?
Laboratory diagnosis is generally accomplished by testing of serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to detect WNV-specific IgM antibodies. Immunoassays for WNV-specific IgM are available commercially and through state public health laboratories.
What is vector of chikungunya?
Aedes mosquitoes transmit chikungunya virus to people. These types of mosquitoes are found throughout much of the world. Chikungunya virus is transmitted to people through mosquito bites.
What are all the bloodborne pathogens?
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens.
Why is West Nile virus called West Nile virus?
What are the dangers of West Nile virus?
The risk of getting West Nile virus is very low, but anyone can become infected. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease are at greater risk of serious illness.
How deadly is the West Nile virus?
West Nile may be fatal years after infection and recovery, according to a new study. ATLANTA— Since West Nile fever first appeared in the United States in 1999, more than 45,000 people have been infected, and nearly 2000 of them are known to have died, for a roughly 4% fatality rate.
What is the chance of getting the West Nile virus?
The odds of getting the most severe forms of West Nile disease are about one in 150. The overall death rate in severe disease is about 10%. That makes the overall odds of dying from a West Nile infection about one in 1,500. These odds aren’t the same for everyone.
What is the causative organism of West Nile virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic human pathogen that is the causative agent of West Nile fever and encephalitis . WNV was introduced into the Western Hemisphere during the late summer of 1999, when infected individuals were diagnosed in New York State (104, 125).