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| − | Also known as: '''''West Nile Fever —— West Nile Fever Virus — WNF — WNFV'''''
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| − | == Introduction == | + | ====Hosts==== |
| | + | *Horses and Man |
| | + | *Reservoir host: birds, mosquitoes |
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| − | This is a relatively newly discovered virus, of the family [[:Category:Flaviviruses|Flaviviridae]], that is transmitted by [[mosquitoes]]. Reservoir hosts are birds and the final hosts are horses and humans, hence this disease is zoonotic.
| + | ====Pathogenesis==== |
| | + | *Virus oscillates between definitive and reservoir populations |
| | + | *'''Aseptic encephalitis''' with concurrent '''fatalities''' |
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| − | This virus originated in Africa as the name suggests, but it is now considered that two strains exist; the Old world, avirulent strain and the New world virulent mutant, which is mainly found in the USA. The virus originally entered the USA from Africa via mosquitoes or birds and then remained in the New York area as there is a lot of stagnant water for mosquitoes to breed. Over 200 people have died from the disease, as well as many birds. One in seven UK birds have the antibody to the virus but no clinical disease or deaths have been seen from it. This is presumed to be because the strain in the UK is currently avirulent and also mosquitoes are too uncommon in the UK for the disease to take hold and cause human illness.
| + | ====Epidemiology==== |
| | + | *Virus originated in Africa |
| | + | *Two versions seem to exist: |
| | + | **Old world '''avirulent''' strain |
| | + | **New world '''virulent''' mutant |
| | + | *Entrance to US via mosquitoes was followed by a rapid sweeping spread across the country with deaths of horses and birds |
| | + | *UK birds show antibody but no reported deaths |
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| − | == Signalment == | + | ====Diagnosis==== |
| | + | *Virus isolation |
| | + | *RT-PCR on CSF |
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| − | Horses and Man. Humans can be infected by the disease and show no clinical signs. Predisposing factors to making the disease much more severe include immunosuppression e.g. HIV, AIDs or chemotherapy, old age or very young children and pregnant women.
| + | ====Control==== |
| − | | + | *Vector control (mosquitoes): drain standing water, sprays, etc |
| − | == Clinical Signs == | + | [[Category:Flaviviruses]][[Category:Horse Viruses]][[Category:Zoonoses]] |
| − | | + | [[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical/Viruses]] |
| − | The virus can cause no clinical signs whatsoever, or it can cause mild signs such as abdominal pain, pyrexia, diarrhoea, inappetance, lethargy, vomiting, enlarged lymph nodes and weakness. In humans it may cause the above, plus headaches, muscle aches, rash and nausea. In severe cases, the virus can cause West Nile Encephalitis, in which an '''aseptic encephalitis''' with concurrent '''fatalities '''may occur.
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| − | == Diagnosis == | |
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| − | Clinical signs plus time of year and signalment of affected animal or human may be indicative of the disease.
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| − | == Control ==
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| − | Control measures include vector control (mosquitoes), such as draining away standing water, using ectoparasiticide sprays, fly rugs on horses and stabling horses at dawn and dusk (when mosquitoes are most prevalent).
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| − | There is a vaccine being developed for horses, as the risk to the UK is more severe with introduction of passports and horses travelling all over the world. The disease is still currently notifiable in the UK.
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| − | Also see [[West Nile Fever (WNF) - Donkey|WNF in Donkeys]].
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| − | == References ==
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| − | Bridger, J and Russell, P (2007) '''Virolgy Study Guide''', ''Royal Veterinary College''
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| − | Knottenbelt, D.C., '''A Handbook of Equine Medicine for Final Year Students''' ''University of Liverpool''
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| − | Merck &a Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Eighth Edition), ''Merial''
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| − | Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders''
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| − | {{review}}
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| − | {{OpenPages}}
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| − | [[Category:Flaviviruses]] [[Category:Horse_Viruses]] [[Category:Zoonoses]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Horse]] | |
