West Nile Fever

Pronunciation
/WEST NYEEL FEE-ver/
Category
Disease
Singular
West Nile Fever
Plural
West Nile Fevers

Definition

A human illness characterized by fever, headache, rash, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, and rarely, meningoencephalitis. Caused by the West Nile virus.

Etymology

Named after the West Nile province of Uganda where the virus was first isolated.

Example

The recent outbreak of West Nile fever in New York City highlighted the importance of mosquito control measures.

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