> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upscprep.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # What is West Nile Fever? - URL: https://www.upscprep.com/west-nile-fever-virus-culex-mosquitoes-kerala-upsc/ - Published: 2024-05-08T17:08:49.000Z - Updated: 2024-05-08T17:08:49.000Z - Description: GS3 | Diseases | Science & Technology - Author: UPSCprep.com - Tags: Current Affairs, UPSC Prelims, #show-toc ### Why in the News? The Kerala health department is on alert after the death of a 47-year-old from Thrissur due to the West Nile Virus. ![Kerala on alert as man dies of West Nile Fever | UPSC | THE HINDU](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/image-37.png) - Earlier in 2019, a six-year-old boy in Malappuram district had died of the same infection. - The virus was first reported in the state, in Alappuzha in 2006 and then in Ernakulam in 2011\. --- ### What is the West Nile Virus? - The West Nile Virus is a **mosquito-borne**, **single-stranded RNA virus**. - It is a flavivirus related to the viruses that cause St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever. ### How does it spread? - **Culex species of mosquitoes** act as the principal vectors for transmission. - It is transmitted by infected mosquitoes between and among humans and animals, including birds, which are the reservoir host of the virus. ![Culex Mosquitoes | Spread West Nile Virus and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/image-36.png) ![West Nile Virus | West Nile Fever | UPSC](https://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1630394917_image1.jpg) - WNV can also spread through: - Blood transfusion - From an infected mother to her child - Exposure to the virus in laboratories. - It is **not known to spread by contact** with infected humans or animals. - To date, **no human-to-human transmission** of WNV through casual contact has been documented. ### Incubation Period The **incubation period**, according to CDC, for WNV disease is - Typically **2 to 6 days** - But can range from 2 to 14 days. - It can be for several weeks in immunocompromised people. ### Symptoms - **Asymptomatic** in **80%** of the infected people. - The rest of the **20%** develop **West Nile fever** or severe West Nile disease. - The symptoms include f**ever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, rash,** and **swollen glands**. - **Severe infection** can lead to neuroinvasive diseases such as: - West Nile encephalitis - Meningitis - West Nile poliomyelitis - Acute flaccid paralysis - WNV-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome - Radiculopathy *Note: It usually turns fatal in persons with co-morbidities and immuno-compromised persons (such as transplant patients).* ### **Treatment** No WNV-specific Vaccine, prophylaxis or treatment is available. - Only supportive treatments are given to neuroinvasive WNV patients. - Health authorities globally advise for personal protective measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/1.-UPSCprep-Banner-8.png) [Join Now](https://courses.upscprep.com/products?ref=upscprep.com) --- ### Spread of West Nile Virus ![West Nile virus outbreak | UPSC | West Nile Fever](https://images.theconversation.com/files/14459/original/3pcc8w65-1345513025.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip) According to the WHO, human infections attributable to WNV have been reported in many countries in the world for over 50 years. - The virus was first isolated in a woman in the **West Nile district** of **Uganda** in 1937\. - In 1997, a more virulent strain caused the death of different bird species in **Israel**, presenting signs of encephalitis and paralysis. - In 1999, a WMV strain reached New York, producing a large outbreak that spread across the **Americas**, from Canada to Venezuela. > WNV outbreak sites are found along major bird migratory routes. Today, the virus is found commonly in **Africa**, **Europe**, the **Middle** **East**, **North** **America**, and **West Asia**. --- ### What are the **Preventive measures?** In most countries, the peak for WNV infections generally coincides with the period when mosquito vectors are most active, and the ambient temperature is sufficiently high for virus multiplication. - Public health departments to ensure **larval source reduction** especially at breeding and resting sites for the mosquito vectors. - **Active Animal Health Surveillance System** - Since WNV outbreaks in animals precede human cases, an **active animal health surveillance system** is essential - To detect new cases in birds and horses. - And provide early warnings to veterinary and human public health authorities. - **Prevent blood transfusion-transmitted WNV infections** during the active virus transmission period. - It is advised to implement a 28-day blood donor deferral or nucleic acid testing of prospective donors who have visited or lived in an affected area. - Donors of organs, tissues and cells living in or returning from an affected area should be tested for WNV infection. ![West Nile Virus Prevention Tips | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/image-38.png) There are several steps **you** can take to reduce your risk of getting bitten by an infected mosquito: - **Minimize mosquito exposure:** - Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone when outdoors, especially during dawn, dusk, and evening. - Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when possible, especially if you're outdoors during peak mosquito times. - Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds around your home by removing standing water sources like gutters, birdbaths, and old tyres. - **Travel precautions:** - If travelling to an area with a high risk of WNV, be extra vigilant about mosquito bite prevention. By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your chances of getting West Nile Virus. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/05/image-33.png) *Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express* ## Sign up for UPSCprep.com Simplify your UPSC journey Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.