WEST NILE VIRUS

• West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can

cause serious illness such as encephalitis, a brain
inflammation.
• Infected mosquitos pass the virus onto birds, animals
and people.
• The principle route of human infection with West Nile
virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito.
• The West Nile virus is of African origin but first
appeared in the United States in 1999.
• The bite of a single mosquito can cause flu-like
symptoms, but also result in death.
How do you get WEST NILE VIRUS ?

Causes • The west Nile virus

spreads to humans and
animals via infected
mosquitoes.
• Mosquitoes become
infected when they feed
on infected birds.
How do you get WEST NILE VIRUS ?

• When a mosquito bites an

Causes Continued infected bird, the virus enters
the mosquito’s bloodstream
and eventually moves into it’s
salivary glands.
• When an infected mosquito
bites an animal or human, the
virus is passed on to the
bloodstream, where serious
illness can occur.
How does West Nile virus affect you?
Symptoms
Symptoms and signs of West Nile Virus
include:
Fever
Headache
Body aches
Skin rash
Swollen lymph nodes
Vomiting and
Diarrhea
 How does West Nile virus affect you?
Symptoms Continued
Brain Inflamation
Severe Symptoms can include: The
above plus:
Stiff neck
Sleepiness
Disorientation
Coma
Tremors
Paralysis
How does West Nile virus affect you?
Symptoms Continued
RASH
• Most cases of West Nile virus infection are
mild and go unreported.
• Symptoms occur within 3 – 14 days of being
bitten.
• Around 70-80% of people who are infected
won’t show any symptoms.
• In rare cases, a severe infection can cause
permanent brain damage and or death.
How West Nile Virus Spreads

• Mosquitoes become
infected when they feed
on infected birds.

• Infected mosquitoes can

then SPREAD the virus to
humans and other
animals.
How West Nile Virus Spreads Cont’d
• In very few cases West Nile
virus was spread through
blood transfusions, organ
transplants, and from mother
to baby during pregnancy,
delivery or breastfeeding

• The West Nile virus is not

contagious and cannot be
transmitted from person to
person.
How can West Nile Virus be Treated?
There is no vaccine or specific antiviral
treatments for West Nile Virus infection
available.

In Severe cases, Patients often need

hospitalized to receive treatment such as:
Intravenous fluids, pain medication and
nursing care.
INTERESTING FACTS and STATS
• According to the CDC, only 1% of people bitten by West Nile
infected mosquitoes become seriously ill.

• It is not known how the virus arrived in the United States.

• You can reduce your risk of being infected by using insect repellent
and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites.

• Dead birds can be an indication that the virus is present in an area.

• It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will

develop West Nile fever, leaving 80% of those infected to not
experience any type of illness. It is also estimated that 1 in 150
persons infected with West Nile virus will develop a more severe
form of the disease.
 Works Cited

• Thechart.blogs.cnn.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2017.

• Westnile.state.pa.us. N.p., Oct. 2012. Web. 7 Apr. 2107.

• Wpadmin. "Health and Wellness Blog Magazine." HRFnd. N.p., 02 Feb. 2016. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.

• Www.cdc.gov.westnile. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2017.

 THE END

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