Although there are many diseases to research, we chose to research the disease

known as the West Nile virus. This disease is prominent in Africa. West Nile, also known as West Nile Encephalitis and West Nile Meningitis, can be a mild disease or even sometimes a serious disease. West Nile is a disease that gets little publicity in America, that’s why we are presenting the West Nile Disease.

West Nile virus was first recorded in 1937 in Uganda. It was first identified in the U.S. in New York in 1999: it has since spread all across America. It is a viral disease that gets into your system. It belongs to the Flavivirus family, meaning that it is a virus transported through mosquitoes and ticks that lead to a bigger disease. West Nile is an organism that enters and causes inflammation to the brain and spinal cord. For the most part, it can’t be transported from human to human, but from mosquitoe to human.It is believed that Mosquitoes that feed on a dead, infected bird, then pass those germs to you when it feeds on your blood. West Nile can affect not only humans, but birds, horses, and many other mammals.People of all ages and sizes can get the West Nile Virus. It primarily hits the African population as they have a large mosquito population in areas. One usually gets the virus during the summer/fall stage of the year when mosquitoes are out and prowling. They carry the most amount of the virus during early fall. Soon, West Nile Viruses cases go down as the weather cools and the mosquitoes die out. People get it mainly through the bite of a mosquito that had just recently obtained the virus from a dead animal. The blood enters your system and the virus gets a hold of you. West Nile can also be passed down to an infant in the breast milk of an infected mother. Blood transfusions can also be the cause of West Nile spreading. Transplants and medical exchange of blood may result in the West Nile Virus.

The symptoms of the West Nile are very diverse. Most patients with the virus develop a rash. Mild versions of the virus may only give headaches, sore throat, nausea, muscle aches, and such. The mild symptoms generally last 3 to 6 days. The more serious types of the West Nile Disease may lead to confusion, a coma, stiff neck, muscle weakness, or weakness in one arm or leg. The most sever of cases result in brain damage, permanent muscle weakness, and even death. Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord is an effect of the West Nile Virus on the body. A big portion of the victims of this disease don’t even realize they have it as it is usually in the mild state. Not many people ever experience symptoms of the disease. This disease may lead to not being able to do everyday activities. It could lead to muscle failure, no ability to live life, or even no life at all.

Doctors perform many different