title: West Nile viral encephalitis.
abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) has emerged in recent years in temperate regions of Europe and North America, presenting a threat to both public and animal health. The most serious manifestation of infection is fatal encephalitis in humans and horses, as well as mortality in certain domestic and wild birds. A recent development in the epizootiology of this mosquito-borne flavivirus was the occurrence of a severe outbreak in New York City and surrounding areas. During this outbreak, mortality was observed in humans, horses, a cat and numerous species of wild birds, particularly members of the family Corvidae (crows). The author reviews basic information and summarises recent developments in the epidemiology and epizootiology of WNV.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Infectious Diseases/Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 2087, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Komar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D001717:Birds; D009033:Culicidae; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission