West nile feverA92.3

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 05.10.2024

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Synonym(s)

west nile fever; WN

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HistoryThis section has been translated automatically.

Smithburn et al., 1940

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes with the West Nile fever virus (endemic arbovirosis).

PathogenThis section has been translated automatically.

West Nile virus, Flaviviridae family, belonging to the arboviruses.

Carriers are Culex, Aedes and Mansonia species. Of particular importance are Culex pipiens, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex restuans, Culex salinarius and Culex talsalis.

The virus mainly infects birds (ravens, crows, etc.), which, however, do not fall ill; humans, horses and other mammals are also infected.

Rarely transmitted during organ transplants.

Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.

Spread to Africa, Middle East, Southern Europe, Russia, South India, South East Asia, North America.

Severe epidemic in New York in 1999. Approximately 27,000 cases have been reported in the USA since 1999 (as of 2007), 4600 in Canada. The epidemic in the USA in 2002 resulted in 4008 clinically manifest infections with 263 deaths. The 2005 epidemic in the USA resulted in 2000 cases of the disease (55 fatalities).

Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.

Incubation period: 3-12 days.

General symptoms: fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized lymphadenitis. Often eye involvement. Rarely, especially in children or immunosuppressed patients, severe courses with viral meningitis.

Integument: In 50% of cases maculopapular exanthema ( viral exanthema) (mainly extremities and trunk). Occasionally severe local itching in the area of the injection site, scratch excoriations, possibly superinfections.

DiagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.

Serum antibodies (ELISA, immunofluorescence); cultivation.

Differential diagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.

Dengue fever and other alpha and flavivirus.

Complication(s)This section has been translated automatically.

Encephalitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, myocarditis, high mortality.

TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.

Symptomatic. In very severe cases, IVIG may be necessary.

Progression/forecastThis section has been translated automatically.

Patients with encephalitis often suffer from neurological late sequelae (about 50% of cases). The lethality rate in manifest encephalitis is 15-40% and mainly affects older patients, immunocompromised persons, children.

ProphylaxisThis section has been translated automatically.

Mosquito protection and control.

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

It is assumed that Alexander the Great had already died of the West Nile virus. 1937 First description (and naming) by illness of a woman in Uganda who lived in the West Nile area.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Browne C et al.(2019) West Nile fever in Europe in 2018: an emerging problem or just an anomaly? Vet Rec 185:365-368
  2. Gerhardt R (2006) West Nile virus in the United States (1999-2005). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2006 May-Jun;42:170-177.
  3. Smithburn KC, Hughes TP, Burke AW, Paul JH (1940) A neurotropic virus isolated from the blood of a native of Uganda. Am J Trop Med Hyg s1-20: 471-492

Authors

Last updated on: 05.10.2024

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer