West Nile Virus: An Overview for the Primary Care Provider

• Published in: Current infectious disease reports Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 273 - 275
• Main Authors: Dean, James L., Schaben, Chad P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 01-08-2002
• Subjects: Aquatic insects; Bird migration; Disease transmission; Epidemiology; Health risks; Infectious diseases; Migratory species; Mosquitoes; Primary care; Public health; Vector-borne diseases; West Nile virus
• ISSN: 1523-3847; 1534-3146
• DOI: 10.1007/s11908-002-0015-1

West Nile virus is an emerging infectious disease in the western hemisphere. Prior to 1999, many areas of the United States, which are now affected by WNV, had no mosquito control programs. Mosquitoes were considered more of a nuisance problem rather than a health threat. The identification of human illness caused by WNV has resulted in a coordinated public health response that has had to integrate the disciplines of human health, animal health, and vector control programs in an effort to minimize disease transmission to humans. With the migration of bird species that serve as reservoirs, WNV has spread from a single focus in 1999 to 27 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and the Caribbean. WNV control programs have been established with federal resources and have become an integral part the public health infrastructure across the country.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]