West Nile Virus (WNV)

Why in News?

Three people in the Netherlands have died from infections caused by West Nile Virus (WNV) amid an increase in cases across Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that warmer temperatures are expanding the time and geographical area available for mosquitoes to transmit the virus, contributing to its spread in Europe.

About West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus belonging to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. It was first isolated from a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937 and was later identified in birds, including crows and columbiformes, in the Nile Delta region in 1953.

WNV is maintained in nature through a bird–mosquito transmission cycle. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds that carry the virus in their blood for several days. Humans, horses and other mammals can become infected mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito.

WNV is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. Most infected people develop no symptoms or experience mild illness, but a small proportion can develop severe neurological disease, including encephalitis or meningitis, which can result in death.

The virus can also be transmitted through contact with infected animals, their blood or tissues. Rare human-to-human transmission has occurred through organ transplantation, blood transfusion and breast milk, while a case of transplacental transmission from mother to child has also been reported.

Climate Change and WNV

Rising temperatures can create more favourable conditions for mosquitoes by extending their breeding and transmission seasons and expanding their geographical range. Therefore, climate change may influence the changing distribution and transmission patterns of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile fever.

Source: WHO

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