West Nile encephalitis
West Nile encephalitis, part of a family of vectorborne diseases that also includes malaria, yellow fever, and Lyme disease, is an infectious disease that primarily causes encephalitis (inflammation) of the brain. It’s caused by the West Nile virus (WNV), a flavivirus commonly found in humans, birds, and other vertebrates in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. The first documented cases of WNV in the Western Hemisphere didn’t occur until late in August 1999, when numerous dead birds in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut region tested positive for WNV after genetic sequencing. Scientists traced the Western Hemisphere origin of the disease to the vicinity of New York’s Bronx Zoo and believe that mosquitoes feeding on diseased birds helped to spread the disease.
In temperate areas, West Nile encephalitis occurs mainly in the late summer or early fall. In southern climates with milder temperatures, West Nile encephalitis can occur year round.
All persons living in endemic areas carry a risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis, but persons older than age 50 or those with compromised immune systems have the greatest risk.
The mortality rate of West Nile encephalitis is measured by case-fatality rates, which range from 3% to 15% (higher in the elderly population).
Causes
WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito (primarily the Culex species). Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on infected birds.
Ticks infected with WNV have been found in Africa and Asia, but their role in transmission and maintenance of the virus is uncertain; they aren’t considered vectors for WNV in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that there’s no evidence that a person can contract the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, barehanded contact when handling dead animals, including dead birds, should be avoided; if a dead animal must be handled, gloves or other protective measures should be used to dispose of the carcass. A dead bird is a sign that there may be infected mosquitoes in the area; findings should be reported to the nearest Emergency Management Office.
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