West Nile virus

West Nile virus

noun

Definition of WEST NILE VIRUS

1

: a flavivirus (species West Nile virus of the genus Flavivirus) that causes an illness marked by fever, headache, muscle ache, skin rash, and sometimes encephalitis or meningitis and that is spread especially from birds to humans by mosquitoes

2

: the illness caused by West Nile virus

Origin of WEST NILE VIRUS

from West Nile province of Uganda, where the virus was isolated in 1937

First Known Use: 1940

Rhymes with WEST NILE VIRUS

arbovirus, bearded iris, echovirus, hantavirus, herpesvirus, lentivirus, parvovirus, rhinovirus, rotavirus

West Nile virus

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of WEST NILE VIRUS

: a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus (species West Nile virus) that causes an illness marked by fever, headache, muscle ache, skin rash, and sometimes encephalitis or meningitis, that is spread chiefly by mosquitoes, and that is closely related to the viruses causing Japanese B encephalitis and Saint Louis encephalitis; also : west nile fever

West Nile virus

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Virus, belonging to the family Flaviviridae, that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). West Nile is predominantly a fatal infection of birds but can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Most human infections are inapparent or mild, causing a flu-like illness that lasts only a few days. A minority develop encephalitis, characterized by headache, fever, neck stiffness, and muscle weakness, that has proved fatal in some cases. There is no cure. In severe cases, intensive medical care, involving intravenous fluids and respiratory support, is necessary. The virus was originally confined to Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia but has spread to Europe and North America.