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The First Encounter
In 1937 the discovery of West Nile was made in Uganda in the province of West Nile when a woman came down with curious symptoms which included fever, headache, vomiting, jaundice, and delirium. At first the doctors believed that she had a yellow fever virus, but upon further speculation, they discovered that it was a new disease. -
Israel Hit Hard
The first known epidemic happened in Israel with a total of 123 cases out of 303 inhabitants.cases. The main symptoms were fever, vomiting, headache, myalgia, anorexia, abdominal pain, and exanthems. No fatalities were recorded. -
Further Study
An extended study was conducted in the upper Nile Delta region. The study included experimental infection of birds, horses, arthropods, and humans in the environment. They concluded that 60% of the people had developed immunities for the disease in this region. Adults had a greater percent of antibodies in their system, making this disease an infection of childhood. Discovered that West Nile can lead to meningitis and encephalitis and that the virus can only be transmitted by mosquitos. -
Israel Brain Damage
In Israel reports of the first signs of brain symptoms due to West Nile have been recorded. The severe neurologic symptoms occured among a group elderly nursing home residents. -
Europe Infected
The first epidemic in Europe was recorded in France. This was the first place that patients were recorded having meningitis and encephalitis due to the West Nile virus. This outbreak lead to experimental testing in southern France, particularly on horses. They found that 6 out of 37 horses were infected. Researchers then went on to perform serosurveys on all horses within a 10 mile radius of the infected. This was the first large scale serosurvey conducted on horses worldwide. -
South Africa
First outbreak in South Africa also had recorded cases of encephalitis. Studies here found that the majority of hosts were birds. Researchers also found that epidemics are more likely to occur in high amounts of rainfall and hot weather. Thirteen species of birds were infected, but showed no symptoms, making it hard to make preventatives. -
Outbreak in Romania
The outbreak in Romania is considered important because it is the first outbreak in a predominantly urban area. The symptoms also included an infection of the central nervous system in addition to the previous ones. -
Period: to
World in Peril
Multiple outbreaks in the Middle East and Europe. Outbreaks were more frequent and a higher rate and severity of central nervous system infections. Also accompanied with higher mortality rates and first time to infect patients over 60 years old. -
Homeland
In the summer of 1999 cases of West Nile was found in New York, making it the first outbreak in the United States. Since then the virus has spread across the country. Researchers believe it came from Israel by birds and that the U.S.'s birds are now infected. Researchers have discovered that the main outbreaks have happened along major birds's migratory routes. -
A Possible Cure?
Scientists have begun testing mice with alpha-2b interferons to try and find a cure for West Nile. They found an 80% reduction in the virus. An 83 year old man was treated the same way and recovered from the virus. This experiment is still not developed enough though to be considered a cure yet. -
Big Outbreak
Largest outbreak in the US with 5,674 cases and 286 deaths. 56% of the patients developed neuroinvasive diseases which is the most severe form of the virus. West Nile was reported in 48 states and over half of these cases have been reported in Texas, mostly in the Dallas area. -
Today
As of today, no cure has been discovered. Researchers are currently still looking for a vaccine. Some theories have been tested, such as the interferon trial, but nothing has been proven completely successful yet. However, preventions have been put in place such as aerial spraying and wearing long sleeves and pants.
