WNV is a
mosquito-borne virus of the flaviviridae family. It is indigenous to Africa,
Asia, Europe and Australia, and has been associated with several outbreaks in
Israe. WNV was virtually unknown to North America until 1999, when it made a first
appearance during an epidemic of meningo-encephalitis in Queens, New York, NY .
From the period between 1999 and 2004, there have then been over 7,000 reportedcases of neuro-invasive WNV induced encephalitis in the United States . The
neurological manifestations of WNV infection can range from meningitis,
encephalitis and cranial nerve dysfunction to acute flaccid paralysis and motor
neuron disease .
Most cases of WNV infections are asymptomatic. The incubation
period is typically 2 to 14 days. There are no specific symptoms that typify
WNV infections. Clinically, they may present with symptoms similar to aseptic
viral meningitis, usually with fever, headache, and other non-specific
symptoms. These typically carry a low associated mortality. Some patients may
present with a more abrupt onset of encephalitis with altered mental status,
vomiting, severe headaches, accompanied by a high grade fever. In about 15% of
cases, cerebral dysfunction may progress to coma, with accompanying
abnormalities such as diffuse muscle weakness, flaccid paralysis, and
respiratory failure. Read more...........
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