Abstract

VILLALOBOS ZUNIGA, Manuel Antonio. Clinical Features of West Nile Virus Infection in Humans. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2015, vol.24, n.2, pp.168-173. ISSN 1409-1429.

The West Nile Virus infection is endemic in North America since 1999, and nowadays sporadic cases are seen across America. Although 80 % cases are asymptomatic, the remaining 20 % appear as acute febrile illness like other flavivirus infections such as dengue, and less than 1 % may occur as a severe neurologic disease: meningitis, encephalitis or flaccid paralysis; the last being the most severe and disabling form of the disease.

The diagnosis should be made when a high index of clinical suspicion is present and confirmed with laboratory tests, such as serology. There is no specific treatment, only support care; and some authors recommend that in severe cases gammaglobulin be used. In Costa Rica there were isolated cases in 2010, which occurred because all necessary environmental conditions were present; therefore a multidisciplinary approach is needed in the management of this infection.

Keywords : transmission; signs and symptoms; West Nile virus.

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