West Nile virus

noun

Pathology.

1. an illness caused by a chiefly mosquito-borne virus of the genus Flavivirus, characterized in a small percentage of infected persons by fever, headache, muscle weakness, and sometimes encephalitis or meningitis.

2. the virus that causes this illness.

West Nile virus

1. An infectious disease caused by a virus of the genus Flavivirus, occurring in Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, and parts of North America. The infection is transmitted by a mosquito and can cause mild illness as well as severe, sometimes fatal encephalitis and meningitis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of West Nile virus¹

First recorded in 1935–40; named after the West Nile region of Uganda

Example Sentences

The first recorded death from West Nile virus this year in L.A.

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The first cases of West Nile virus this year have been recorded in Los Angeles County, with four people hospitalized between July and August, officials said.

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A virologist has said mosquito-borne diseases are "likely" to increase in range after West Nile virus was detected in the UK for the first time.

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West Nile virus causes either very minor symptoms or none at all - but around 20% of cases can experience headaches, high fever and skin eruptions.

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Of particular concern right now are native Culex mosquitoes, which can transmit deadly West Nile virus, Diaz said.

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