Fact Sheet: West Nile virus

West Nile encephalitis virus. Encephalitis caused by a virus of the Flaviviridae family. Causes West Nile fever, which is characterized by headache, fever, arthralgia, maculopapular rash, myalgia, lymphadenopathy and leukopenia. Transmitted and/or spread by mosquitoes from the genus Culex (family Culicidae).

Entry terms: Kunjin virus, West Nile flavivirus, WNV (West Nile virus), KUNV (Kunjin virus)

The Department of Entomology and Nematology maintains tripartite priorities consistent with the mandate given to full-service landgrant universities and associated experiment stations: Research, Extension, and Academics. These programs are facilitated with state funding, extramural contract and grant funding, donations and gifts, and the collaborative efforts of cooperating agencies and institutions. The Department has coordinated faculty efforts and strengths into what could be considered major thrust areas for the Department. These areas of emphasis include: Behavior, Ecology, and Systematics; Biological Control; Medical, Veterinary and Urban Entomology; Nematology; Pest Management; and Physiology, Biochemistry, and Genetics.