West Nile Virus: An integrated review of virology, epidemiology, clinical outcomes, and public health challenges

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV), an arbovirus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, is the cause of West Nile Fever (WNF), a zoonotic illness that is mainly spread via the bite of Culex mosquitoes. WNF's wide geographic spread and intricate epidemiological dynamics have made it a global public health concern in recent decades. Horses and people are incidental hosts, but the virus's principal reservoir, birds, interacts with the mosquito vector to continue its transmission cycle. From asymptomatic infection to severe neuroinvasive forms such as encephalitis, meningitis, and paralytic syndrome, WNV infection has a wide range of clinical manifestations. Neurological complications can result in severe morbidity and mortality, particularly in high-risk groups, even though the majority of cases are minor. Because the disease's clinical symptoms are ambiguous and frequently match those of other arbovirus infections, laboratory confirmation is necessary for diagnosis. Since there is currently no human-specific antiviral medication or vaccination, supportive care is the main focus of management. Therefore, vector control, integrated surveillance, and a One Health strategy are very important prevention techniques for disease control. WNF has a substantial financial impact in addition to its negative effects on health because of treatment expenses, lost productivity, and control measures. This article aimed to comprehensively review various aspects of West Nile Fever, including its etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and prevention and control strategies, to provide a deeper understanding of this disease.