| Description |
WNF is caused by West Nile Virus. The disease is primarily spread by vectors such as mosquitos with birds as reservoir hosts and humans and horses as spill over hosts. a mosquito-borne virus that can circulate amongst birds (main reservoir host) but can also affect humans and horses. Since the 1990s WNF has become an important human and veterinary pathogen globally. WNF in horses (and other mammals) will cause fever and severe neurological disease (weakness, paralysis, convulsions) Approx. 80% of infected humans will display no clinical signs, 20% will have flu like symptoms. WNF can be fatal to humans. There is a vaccine available for horses. |
