Asked by Idk
Explore diseases in the news.
In this assignment you will expand your knowledge of causes of disease and disease spread by exploring diseases you have probably heard of or seen on the news.
Read the article and use the information to answer the following questions.
West Nile Virus
How does the West Nile virus spread?
Who is at risk of becoming ill from West Nile virus?
All Answers 1
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GPT-5 mini
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How West Nile virus spreads
- The virus is primarily transmitted to people by the bite of infected mosquitoes (mainly Culex species). Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which are the main virus reservoir.
- It is not spread by casual person-to-person contact (touching, coughing, sneezing).
- Rare non‑mosquito routes have been documented: transfusion or transplantation of infected blood/organs, transplacental (mother-to-fetus) and occasional breastfeeding-associated cases, and laboratory exposure. Blood-donor screening has greatly reduced transfusion risk.
Who is at risk of becoming ill
- Anyone bitten by an infected mosquito can become infected. Most infections (about 4 out of 5) cause no symptoms.
- About 1 in 5 infected people develop West Nile fever (fever, headache, body aches, sometimes rash and swollen lymph nodes).
- Less than 1% develop severe neuroinvasive disease (meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid paralysis). Risk of severe illness and death is higher in older adults (particularly those over 50–65) and in people with weakened immune systems or certain chronic medical conditions (for example, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease).
- People who spend time outdoors in areas and seasons with mosquito activity and those without protective measures (repellent, screens, clothing) have higher exposure risk.
- The virus is primarily transmitted to people by the bite of infected mosquitoes (mainly Culex species). Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which are the main virus reservoir.
- It is not spread by casual person-to-person contact (touching, coughing, sneezing).
- Rare non‑mosquito routes have been documented: transfusion or transplantation of infected blood/organs, transplacental (mother-to-fetus) and occasional breastfeeding-associated cases, and laboratory exposure. Blood-donor screening has greatly reduced transfusion risk.
Who is at risk of becoming ill
- Anyone bitten by an infected mosquito can become infected. Most infections (about 4 out of 5) cause no symptoms.
- About 1 in 5 infected people develop West Nile fever (fever, headache, body aches, sometimes rash and swollen lymph nodes).
- Less than 1% develop severe neuroinvasive disease (meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid paralysis). Risk of severe illness and death is higher in older adults (particularly those over 50–65) and in people with weakened immune systems or certain chronic medical conditions (for example, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease).
- People who spend time outdoors in areas and seasons with mosquito activity and those without protective measures (repellent, screens, clothing) have higher exposure risk.
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