West Nile Virus
In this section you can find out more about the West Nile Virus (WNV) – one of the subjects on which the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has produced background information
Background
WNV is a viral disease affecting birds, horses and humans which is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).
WNV was first identified in Uganda in 1937 and is found throughout Africa, Asia and Russia. It has also been found in North America and some parts of Europe.
However, WNV infection has never been identified in horses or humans in Great Britain.
What the BVA has done
The BVA has issued
- a policy brief
on WNV which gives key facts and background information about the disease and details of prevention and surveillance action taken by DEFRA, the Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency
More information