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West Nile fever
Why is it in news?
- A seven-year-old boy from Malappuram district has been diagnosed with West Nile fever, a relatively unknown viral infection in the Malabar region in recent times.
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Image Source: The Hindu
- What is WNF: West Nile fever is spread by Culex mosquitoes and the infection could be confirmed only if the second samples test positive.
- Symptoms: It include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body, and swollen lymph glands.
- Transmission:(1) The World Health Organisation (WHO) says West Nile virus transmits to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes.(2) Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.(3) Above transmission cycle is self explanatory.
- Presence in Kerala: The presence of West Nile fever was first raised in Kerala over a decade ago in Kottayam and Alappuzha.
Source
The Hindu