West Nile Virus

First isolated in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937, West Nile virus spread throughout many parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, including Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The virus' initial discovery in the New World occurred in August 1999 in New York City. Throughout the Old World, West Nile virus was not associated with large-scale bird mortality. In NYC, however, many bird species experienced a high death rate following West Nile virus infection. Since its appearance in 1999, West Nile virus has been expanding rapidly across the United States. Making its way south in 2000, the virus' movement appears to be consistent with the migration of birds, acting as reservoir hosts for the virus.

Wildlife Trust continues to assess the role of anthropogenic change and environmental factors in the emergence and spread of West Nile virus and how it pertains to avian biodiversity loss and human infections.

Results of the West Nile virus research initiative could yield important implications for future management of mosquito, as well as avian, populations. In addition, the success of the program could aid in broadening this approach to similarly emerging wildlife diseases, such as Nipah Virus. Applying this approach to programs already in progress could significantly increase our understanding of emerging diseases, bringing us closer to formulating solutions capable of neutralizing these threats.