Risks and Effects of West Nile Virus Essay -- Biology Medical Biomedic

Risks and Effects of West Nile Virus West Nile Virus has many effects on the human body as well as on the bodies of other animals. West Nile is an extremely dangerous virus that attacks the Central Nervous System. It can cause inflammation of tissues in and around the brain and spinal cord. In humans, there are three levels of West Nile Virus, which have different symptoms. Humans can also get specific diseases such as encephalitis from West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus also affects animals. Wild birds and horses are the most susceptible to the virus and most animal deaths occur in these species. Dogs and cats are much less likely to contract the disease. The only way for a human or animal to get the disease is to be bitten by a mosquito infected with West Nile Virus. The effects of West Nile Virus vary among different people. The risks of getting West Nile Virus are very small, but there are certain things that you should be careful of. People over age 50 and children are most likely to contract West Nile Virus, because their immune system is not capable of coping with the disease. Every time that you go outside you are in danger of getting West Nile Virus. It is best to stay away from mosquitoes and stagnant water. Although there are risks, there are also some things you don’t have to worry about. Blood donations are all checked for the virus and the likelihood of getting the disease from a blood transfusion or organ transplant is very small. Nursing and pregnancies also do not increase risk of contracting the virus. It has not yet been proven, but it is thought that the possibility of a mother transmitting the virus to the fetus through breast feeding is not probable. (CDC, 2005). There are three different levels of symptom... ...s, more lives may be lost to the virus. For this reason it is extremely important that a vaccine and a treatment are found for west Nile so that in the future death or permanent brain or spinal damage can be prevented. Risks and Effects of West Nile Virus 5 References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005, July) West Nile Virus: Questions and Answers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Health Administration July 20, 2005 Edcp.org/html/wn.html Food and Drug Administration (2005, July) FDA Clears First Test for West Nile Virus FDA News July 25, 2005 www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00920.html California Government (2005, July) West Nile Basics Welcome to California July 25, 2005 westnile.ca.gov/wnv_basics.htm Lee, M. (2003) West Nile Virus Overview and Abstracts Hauppage, New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.