What Is West Nile Virus?

By james

Article Sources

Medical Expert

More About Us

Mosquitos are found in many parts of the world, and they are renowned for biting. Although mosquitos are very small, their bites can still be troublesome. Mosquito bites are notoriously itchy and infections can take place if the bites are scratched too much. There is also the risk of picking up diseases from these bites.

If a mosquito feeds on an animal that is infected with a virus, the mosquito can itself become infected. The mosquito can then transmit the virus to the next animal that it feeds from. There are numerous different viruses and other pathogens that can be transmitted in this way. One of these is the West Nile virus.

1. West Nile Virus

The West Nile virus can be found in many parts of the world and, relatively recently, was found in the United States. It is a member of the Flaviviridae family of viruses. Since its arrival in the United States, the virus can now be found in the vast majority of states. In the majority of cases, people will contract the virus by way of a mosquito bite.

The vast majority of cases of West Nile virus are mild, and many won’t even feel any symptoms at all. It will be serious in a small number of cases, however, so it should not be treated with complacency. People that are showing the more serious symptoms of the disease should be found medical attention as soon as possible.