ETIOLOGYCAL, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF WEST NILE FEVER
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/1681-2727.2024.4.15008Keywords:
West Nile virus, molecular biology, West Nile fever, epidemiological features, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatmentAbstract
West Nile virus (WNV) primarily infects mosquitoes, birds, horses, and humans. This pathogen can cause asymptomatic infection or disease with various clinical manifestations - from mild fever to fatal neuroinvasive forms of the disease. Recently, the frequency and severity of diseases caused by WNV have increased in the European Union and neighboring countries, especially in the Mediterranean region. This trend is probably related to the increase in both the average air temperature and the amount of precipitation, which are favorable for the spread of WNV. Due to the marked and increasing geographical distribution of the vector and the high endemic potential of WNV, it is of increasing public health concern.
The clinical spectrum of symptomatic West Nile fever (WNF) in humans is wide. About 80 % of people are asymptomatic, 20 % develop a nonspecific febrile illness that can range in severity from mild to severe, while a small group of patients (<1 %) develop potentially fatal neuroinvasive disease. Recovery from WNF can be slow, and the mortality rate is as high as 10 %, although it depends on the age and immune status of patients.
The fact that there is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral agents for the treatment of such patients is particularly worrying.
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