West Nile Virus

Question 1

What is west nile virus

Answer 1

A mosquito borne virus that is spread through an infected bite primarily caused by culex mosquitos

Question 2

When was west nile first identified

Answer 2

First identified in a woman in Uganda in 1937
First found in birds (crows) in the Nile delta in 1953.

Question 3

What animal serves as a reservoir host for WNV

Answer 3

wild birds- mosquitos feed on them and transmit to other species

Question 4

What does WNV cause

Answer 4

Encephalitis- inflammation of brain
Meningitis- inflammation of spinal cord

Question 5

Symptoms of WNV

Answer 5

stumbling
inability to fly/walk
weakness
trembling
unawareness

Question 6

What species is WNV transmissible to

Answer 6

Birds
Humans
Horses

Question 7

Among avian species, which one is most susceptible to WNV

Answer 7

corvids (crows and ravens) and bluejays

Question 8

True or False: most birds do not show symptoms as they are natural reservoir hosts for the virus

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Aside from mosquitos, how else can WNV be transmitted

Answer 9

-oral secretions/feces from infected birds can contaminate food or water
-raptors that prey on infected birds can ingest it

Question 10

Define a dead end host

Answer 10

although they can become infected, the number of viral particles
in the blood is not high enough to pass the virus on to new mosquitoes

Question 11

True or False: there is no cure for WNV so to take care of patients, doctors will treat symptoms

Answer 11

True

Question 12

True or False: No vaccines are available for any species

Answer 12

False. Vaccines are available for horses and is considered a core vaccine that all horses should get regularly

Question 13

Ways to prevent WNV

Answer 13

mosquito control