Western equine encephalitis virus Information & Western equine encephalitis virus Links at HealthHaven.com

Western equine encephalitis virus
	Classification and external resources
ICD-10	A83.1
ICD-9	062.1
MeSH	D020241

Western equine encephalitis virus
Virus classification
Group:	Group IV ((+)ssRNA)
Family:	Togaviridae;
Genus:	Alphavirus;

The Western equine encephalitis virus is the causative agent of relatively uncommon viral disease Western equine encephalitis (WEE). An Alphavirus of the family Togaviridae, the WEE virus is an arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) transmitted by mosquitoes of the genera Culex and Culiseta.^[1] There have been under 700 confirmed cases in the U.S. since 1964.

In the U.S. WEE is seen primarily in states west of the Mississippi River. 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 sequellae 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. There is no vaccine for WEE and there are no licensed therapeutic drugs in the U.S. for this infection.

[edit] Use as a 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.^[2]

[edit] References

^ Ryan KJ; Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed. ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 0838585299.
^ "Chemical and Biological Weapons: Possession and Programs Past and Present", James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Middlebury College, April 9, 2002, accessed November 14, 2008.

[edit] External links

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Fact Sheet

[Sherris-0] Ryan KJ; Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed. ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 0838585299.

[jmcenter-1] "Chemical and Biological Weapons: Possession and Programs Past and Present", James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Middlebury College, April 9, 2002, accessed November 14, 2008.

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