Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Establishing Mouse Models for Zika Virus-induced Neurological Disorders Using Intracerebral Injection Strategies: Embryonic, Neonatal, and Adult
09:39

Establishing Mouse Models for Zika Virus-induced Neurological Disorders Using Intracerebral Injection Strategies: Embryonic, Neonatal, and Adult

Published on: April 26, 2018

West Nile virus infection in the pediatric population

Rachel Civen1, Ferlie Villacorte, David T Robles

  • 1County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services, Public Health, Acute Communicable Diseases Control Program, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA. rciven@dhs.co.la.ca.us

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|January 6, 2006
PubMed

Insights

In 2004, 11 Los Angeles children got West Nile virus (WNV). Most had WNV fever, with symptoms like fever and rash lasting about a week. Early diagnosis and reporting are key for managing WNV cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Arboviral disease surveillance
  • Public health epidemiology

Background:

  • West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne illness with potential for severe neurological complications.
  • Children represent a vulnerable population susceptible to WNV infection.
  • Understanding WNV epidemiology in pediatric populations is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of symptomatic West Nile virus infections in children.
  • To highlight the importance of clinician awareness and prompt diagnosis of WNV in pediatric cases.
  • To emphasize the role of public health reporting in WNV surveillance.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case review of symptomatic West Nile virus infections in children under 18 years of age.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations, symptoms, and illness duration.
  • Data collection from Los Angeles County health records for the year 2004.

Main Results:

  • Eleven pediatric cases of symptomatic WNV infection were confirmed in Los Angeles County in 2004.
  • The majority of cases (8/11) presented with WNV fever; 2 had meningitis and 1 had encephalitis.
  • Common symptoms included fever, rash, nausea, and vomiting, with a median illness duration of 7 days.

Conclusions:

  • West Nile virus can cause significant illness in children, ranging from fever to severe neurological conditions.
  • Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for WNV in children presenting with relevant symptoms.
  • Prompt diagnosis and reporting of suspected WNV cases are essential for effective public health surveillance and control efforts.

More Related Videos

Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay07:23

Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay

Published on: June 9, 2011

In Vitro Analysis of Myd88-mediated Cellular Immune Response to West Nile Virus Mutant Strain Infection10:39

In Vitro Analysis of Myd88-mediated Cellular Immune Response to West Nile Virus Mutant Strain Infection

Published on: November 27, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Yellow Fever01:18

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. After transmission through a mosquito bite, the virus initially replicates in skin-resident immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells then migrate to the lymph nodes, where viral replication increases, eventually leading to...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...