A species of FLAVIVIRUS, one of the Japanese encephalitis virus group (ENCEPHALITIS VIRUSES, JAPANESE). It can infect birds and mammals. In humans, it is seen most frequently in Africa, Asia, and Europe presenting as a silent infection or undifferentiated fever (WEST NILE FEVER). The virus appeared in North America for the first time in 1999. It is transmitted mainly by CULEX spp mosquitoes which feed primarily on birds, but it can also be carried by the Asian Tiger mosquito, AEDES albopictus, which feeds mainly on mammals.

Annotation

infection = WEST NILE FEVER

DUI

D014902 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0022929

History note

1973 (1965); for KUNJIN VIRUS use ENCEPHALITIS VIRUSES, JAPANESE 1994-2001

Public note

1973; for KUNJIN VIRUS see ENCEPHALITIS VIRUSES, JAPANESE 1994-2001