West Nile virus (of the family Flaviviridae) is a disease spread mostly through mosquitoes (mainly Culex pipiens) and infects birds, people, horses, and some other mammals.
Approximately 80% of people infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms. Others show mild flu-like symptoms. Less than 1% of the infected will experience encephalitis and meningitis, conditions which are sometimes fatal. Older people are at greater risk for suffering from the more severe symptoms.
Although a West Nile virus vaccine exists for horses, one does not yet exist for humans.
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