West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus virus that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).1You're probably wondering "what is a flavivirus?" A flavivirus is a positive-stranded RNA which can be transmitted to humans or animals by infected ticks or mosquitoes. There are about 70 different flaviviruses comprised into one group. The most well known cause yellow fever, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile, Kunjin and St Louis encephalitis virus.2
             What is encephalitis and meningitis? Encephalitis is an acute inflammatory process that affects brain tissue and is almost always accompanied by inflammation of the adjacent meninges. The disease is most commonly caused by a viral infection although bacterial infections are possible. The disease affects persons in all age-groups. Furthermore, it can result from a multitude of infectious and noninfectious causes. Depending on the cause, the outcome may be benign or in some cases fatal. Meningitis however is an infection and inflammation of the membranes (meninges) and fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is most often caused by bacteria or viruses, but bacterial meningitis is usually much more serious than viral meningitis. Most cases of meningitis occur when bacteria from an infection in another part of your body travel through your bloodstream to your brain and spinal cord. Some types are contagious.3
             Outbreaks of the West Nile virus have occurred before in Egypt, Asia, Israel, South Africa, and in some parts of Europe. West Nile virus was first detected in Uganda in 1937. In the United States, it was first found in New York City in the fall of 1999. During that outbreak, 61 people, including 46 residents of New York City, became ill. Seven people died of West Nile virus-related infections during this initial outbrea...