Arthropod-borne Disease: West Nile Fever

• Mosquito vector, bird host
• Summer incidence
• 80% asymptomatic
• Neuroinvasive forms
• Higher morbidity and mortality >50%

During the warm season months, nurse practitioners may see West Nile Virus (WNV) cases in their hospital or primary care work sites. Thorough understanding of WNV disease presentation and prevention is essential for diagnosis, treatment and patient education; especially since the neuroinvasive form can be severe. WNV is established in all 48 of the United States (US) contiguous states, as well as most countries worldwide. Extensive data from 1999 to present is available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).