West Nile is an infectious disease spread by the Culex mosquito. Not as dangerous as Japan fever. Japan fever usually affects children under 18 years of age, while West Nile fever affects adults. Both are mosquito-borne diseases. A vaccine is available for Japanese fever.

Contagion

West Nile fever is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to the genus Culex. Birds are also infected. This virus was first discovered in 1937 in Uganda. The disease was first reported in the state in 2011 in Alappuzha.

Symptoms

The main symptoms are headache, fever, muscle aches, dizziness and memory loss. Most people who are infected often have no symptoms. Some people experience symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting and itching. In one percent of people, brain damage can cause unconsciousness and sometimes death. But the death rate is relatively low compared to Japan fever.

Prevention and treatment

As there is no medicine or vaccine available against West Nile virus, symptomatic treatment and prevention are key. Avoiding mosquito bites is the best form of prevention. Wearing clothing that covers the body, using mosquito nets, applying mosquito repellent ointments, using mosquito nets and electric mosquito repellent devices are effective. Also important is mosquito source destruction. Self-medication can complicate the disease. It is curable if treated early.