West Nile Virus

Before 1999, the West Nile Virus was unknown in the Western hemisphere. Since then, however, each summer has shown it moving progressively across the United States starting in New York. Such recurrent and steady movement means that the virus is here to stay. Transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes, the disease causes encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain. Although most cases are relatively mild and include symptoms like a fever and skin rash, those with more severe cases can exhibit convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Some cases even prove fatal. There is no specific treatment for the virus, with most therapy coming under hospital oversight. In working to prevent the disease, several areas have taken to spraying against mosquitoes and recommended the use of insect repellent. Nonetheless, the virus continues to show itself and has become a regular, but still dangerous, routine of life. This book gives a useful overview of a disease that nobody knew much about a few short years ago, but is now making headlines. Carefully selected abstracts of virus-related literature follow as do accessible author, title, and subject indexes. For the study of the West Nile Virus, this book is a valuable resource.