Abstract

West Nile (WN) virus is a mosquito-born flavivirus, beig also a human, equine, and avian neuropathogen. The virus is indigenous to Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia; recently, it caused large epidemics in Romania, Russia, and Israel. In 1999 there was an epidemic of WN virus encephalitis in New York City. This review discuss the etiological and epidemiological aspects as well as the main clinical features, diagnostic criteria, treatment and prevention of West Nile virus.