West Nile viral encephalitis.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) has emerged in recent years in temperate regions of Europe and North America, presenting a threat to both public and animal health. The most serious manifestation of infection is fatal encephalitis in humans and horses, as well as mortality in certain domestic and wild birds. A recent development in the epizootiology of this mosquito-borne flavivirus was the occurrence of a severe outbreak in New York City and surrounding areas. During this outbreak, mortality was observed in humans, horses, a cat and numerous species of wild birds, particularly members of the family Corvidae (crows). The author reviews basic information and summarises recent developments in the epidemiology and epizootiology of WNV.
Publication Date: 2001-02-24 PubMed ID: 11189714DOI: 10.20506/rst.19.1.1201Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article is about West Nile virus, highlighting its spread across temperate regions of Europe and North America, its lethal impact on humans, horses, certain domestic and wild birds, and a notable outbreak in New York City.
Background on West Nile Virus (WNV)
- The article begins by providing important information about the West Nile virus (WNV). It’s specified that this virus has become prominent in recent years, notably in the temperate regions of Europe and North America. It’s a major public and animal health concern.
- Among the possible effects of the WNV infection, the most severe case is fatal encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, in humans and horses. Additionally, mortality is also seen amongst specific species of domestic and wild birds.
Epizootic Outbreak of WNV in New York City and Surrounding Areas
- The research goes on to discuss a particular development in the epizootiology – study of disease occurrence within animal populations – of WNV. This is the instance of a severe outbreak that happened in New York City and its surrounding regions.
- During the New York outbreak, deaths were observed amongst humans, horses, a cat, and several kinds of wild birds. The most affected bird species belonged to the Corvidae family, which includes crows.
A Summary of Latest Developments in WNV Epidemiology and Epizootiology
- The last part of the research summarizes the newest advancements in understanding the epidemiology and epizootiology of WNV.
- Epidemiology is the study of how often diseases occur in different populations and why, while epizootiology is the study of disease patterns within animal populations.
- The inclusion of both these aspects provides a comprehensive view of the WNV – its distribution, determinants, and control strategies in human as well as animal populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Komar N.
(2001).
West Nile viral encephalitis.
Rev Sci Tech, 19(1), 166-176.
https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.19.1.1201 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Infectious Diseases/Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 2087, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bird Diseases / epidemiology
- Bird Diseases / transmission
- Bird Diseases / virology
- Birds
- Culicidae
- Disease Outbreaks
- Europe / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Insect Vectors
- New York City / epidemiology
- North America / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / diagnosis
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / therapy
- West Nile Fever / transmission
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