The West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne arbovirus of the family Flaviviridae, has become a cause of concern across Kerala.

❖ West Nile virus is a single-stranded RNA virus transmitted mainly by mosquitoes.

❖ It shares similarities with viruses causing Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever.

❖ The virus gets transmitted from person to person through the biting of infected Culex mosquitoes.

❖ They acquire the virus from infected birds (mostly migratory).

❖ It also infects humans, horses and other mammals.