Deadly Virus: A Looming Threat On Washington

A mosquito-borne RNA flavivirus and human neuropathogen, the West Nile Virus(WNV) posed a major public health concern in the western hemisphere when 8 Americans - to date- were diagnosed as being WNV infected by the U.S. Geological Survey and it is anticipated that numerous cases haven’t been reported as of yet.

Related to St. Louis encephalitis virus the WNV infection in humans was first seen and recorded in the Western Hemisphere in August 1999, New York City. Even today the distribution of the virus in North America continues to spread.

WNV is transmitted to humans chiefly through the bite of infected mosquitoes but WNV can be also be transmitted through blood transfusions and organ transplantation, reported first time during the epidemic that spread across North America in 2002.

The fatal virus can cause an extensive range of clinical symptoms from fever, uncomplicated febrile illness to meningitis, neuropathies, paralysis, and encephalitis.

Severe manifestations of WNV infections are rare in children but common in adults, somehow in 2002, 105 children were reported as being infected by neuroinvasive WNV disease in the United States.

Elderly and babies are most vulnerable to the WNV infection. Most children who become infected with WNV are probably either asymptomatic or have a mild febrile illness.

The number of Americans infected with the West Nile virus was over 2,500 last year, and the bar most likely may swell this year.

The spread of West Nile virus is augmented with the mounting mosquito population.

Unfortunately, this year the season was extended due to warmer than usual weather.

People must take care of unhygienic surroundings such as standing water patches to stop the West Nile virus from spreading its tentacles especially when WNV season begins in April and lasts through September.

Cornerstones of prevention include self-protection by avoiding exposure to infected mosquitoes by wearing clothing that protects arms and legs, use bug repellent ,avoiding being outside at peak mosquito-feeding times( dawn and dusk), reducing populations of vector mosquitoes, and last but not the least screening the blood supply for WNV-contaminated blood donations.

Sadly, at present there is no specific and effective treatment for WNV infection, yet ribavirin and interferon seem to inhibit WNV replication but no controlled clinical trials have been completed.