Western equine encephalitis virus
Western equine encephalitis virus | |
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Virus classification | |
(unranked): | Virus |
Realm: | Riboviria |
Kingdom: | Orthornavirae |
Phylum: | Kitrinoviricota |
Class: | Alsuviricetes |
Order: | Martellivirales |
Family: | Togaviridae |
Genus: | Alphavirus |
Species: | Western equine encephalitis virus
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Western equine encephalitis virus | |
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Infectious disease |
The Western equine encephalomyelitis virus is the causative agent of relatively uncommon viral disease Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE). An
According to the CDC, geographic occurrence for this virus is worldwide, and tends to be more prevalent in places in and around swampy areas where human populations tend to be limited. In North America, WEE is seen primarily in U. S. states and Canadian provinces west of the Mississippi River.[3] The disease is also seen in countries of South America. WEE is commonly a subclinical infection; symptomatic infections are uncommon. However, the disease can cause serious sequelae in infants and children. Unlike Eastern equine encephalitis, the overall mortality of WEE is low (approximately 4%) and is associated mostly with infection in the elderly. Approximately 15–20% of horses that acquire the virus will die or be put down.[3] There is no human vaccine for WEE and there are no licensed therapeutic drugs in the U.S. for this infection. The virus affects the brain and spinal cord of the infected host.
History
WEE was discovered in 1930 when a number of
Biological weapon
Western equine encephalitis virus was one of more than a dozen agents that the United States researched as potential biological weapons before the nation suspended its biological weapons program.[6]
See also
- Eastern equine encephalitis virus
References
- PMID 20631130.
- ISBN 978-0-8385-8529-0.
- ^ a b c "Western Equine Encephalitis Fact Sheet - Minnesota Dept. of Health". www.health.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
- S2CID 26044382– via cabdirect.org.
- PMID 11620787.
- ^ "Chemical and Biological Weapons: Possession and Programs Past and Present", James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Middlebury College, April 9, 2002, accessed 31 March 2010.