title: West Nile virus in the United States (1999-2005).
abstract: The accidental introduction of West Nile Virus into New York City from the Old World in 1999 resulted in an epidemic in humans, horses, and birds that swept to the west coast in just 3 years. The virus is transmitted by infective mosquitoes among susceptible native birds, which serve as amplifying hosts. Clinical disease occurs in humans and horses, but not enough virus is produced in their blood to infect other mosquitoes; therefore, humans and horses are considered dead-end hosts. Humans can best protect themselves by remaining indoors during periods of high mosquito activity and/or by using recommended repellents. Effective vaccines are available for horses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Reid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D053060:West Nile Virus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D053060:West Nile Virus Vaccines