|
west nile virus/(WN)
West Nile virus was
first identified in New York in 1999. Since then it has
spread across the nation. WN is a flavivirus similar to
lacrosse that resides in community birds. If the Culex
genus of mosquito draws blood from an infected bird it is then
able to transfer that virus to humans or in some cases to
horses. Humans and horses are seen as a dead end host
because the virus will not replicate and cannot be passed on.
The infected person's body will either show no symptoms and
produce antibodies or will come down with West Nile fever which
has fever and mild symptoms or the third option is encephalitis
which is the most severe form with the most complications.
The only sure diagnosis is through a blood test.
lacrosse encephalitis/(LAC)
LAC is mostly found
in the mountain counties of North Carolina.
It is under reported due to the misdiagnosis of
many cases. There is no treatment for LAC, only management of
its symptoms. LAC has a host reservoir of chipmunks and tree
squirrels.
western equine encephalitis/(wee)
WEE is also an alpha virus. It
is a leading cause of encephalitis in horses and humans in north
America. If affects mainly the western states including
western Canada. The virus infects most songbirds via the
mosquito species that breed in stream and irrigation drainage
waters. The virus can also infect other mammals as well.
Most cases are asymptomatic or just mild sickness. Clinical
cases include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and
malaise.
st.louis encephalitis/(sle)
SLE is the most common
mosquito-transmitted disease to humans in America. It is a
flavivirus that causes about 200 fatalities a year
nationwide. Humans are
exposed to SLE though inclusion in the mosquito-bird transmission
cycle. As with many encephalitides, SLE is under-diagnosed.
malaria
Malaria kills around 1 million
children every year worldwide.
Malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium which is transferred to
people by mosquitoes. The parasite enters the salivary
glands of the mosquito where it is then injected into the next host.
This disease is a major problem in the countries of Africa, Central
& South America, Asia and the Indonesian Islands. Symptoms
include fever, shivering, headache, joint pain and vomiting.
Severe cases progress to convulsions, coma and even death.
|
