SOCIAL

Diseases like the West Nile Virus cause a lot of strain on societies in the world today. Many people lose family members to diseases like HIV/AIDS and other diseases. In most cases the West Nile Virus is not as severe. Any where from 3% to 15% is the fatality range. Unlike diseases like HIV/AIDS, many people that do contract the disease don’t even have any symptoms and nothing happens. In 2003 alone, 9862 human cases of WNV disease were found, including 264 deaths. The West Nile Virus affects society because people have to change their lifestyles so they don’t contract this disease. For example, you should install door screens and replace windows. The problem is if you are born in a home that does not have the money to fix these things you could get stung and be severely ill. You should also stay inside during the sunrise and the sunset because that’s when the mosquitoes are out the most. This could hurt your chances of seeing your girlfriend or boyfriend because you can’t go outside during the sunrise or sunset when something could be happening. The way this disease hurts society most is that people in your community could die of this disease and it could affect everyone around them. Society has changed from this disease because people don’t want to contract the West Nile Virus.

POLITICAL

Currently the government is still adjusting to the affects of West Nile Virus on the masses. Currently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is leading in control for WNVC. They are trying to develop a electronic database for states to share information about WNV. The CDC is also working with other governmental agencies along with independent firms in order to develop vaccines and other ways of preventing WNV cases. The main role that the CDC is having is trying to educate the public about WNV and attempting to further knowledge about the disease.

ECONOMIC

The economic affects of West Nile Virus are lacking compared to those of many other diseases in the world today. A majority of the money that is being spent is being spent on ways of preventing mosquitoes from being able to survive and then pass on diseases like WNV. Previous to the WNV epidemic in the United States, the mosquito action was just as much an issue with the government but with WNV came even more seriousness to the prevention of mosquitoes inhabiting and then passing on diseases.

ENVIRONMENTAL

West Nile Virus typically will be most commonly transmitted during the summer and late fall due to this being when the mosquitoes are most active. When you are living in an area that is a climate where mosquitoes thrive, the chances of getting WNV do increase. In these places especially, you want to take all the preventive measures necessary in order to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. One thing that can be done is to wear long sleeves and shirts during dawn and dusk due to that being when mosquitoes are most active. At your home, you can prevent WNV by using screens on your windows that prevent insects from entering. The other thing that you can do is rid of standing water in things like flower pots and children’s swimming pools. This will remove the areas that the mosquitoes will be able to reproduce and live in.

CULTURAL

Disease and viruses can cause major problems in different cultures. For example, SARS caused many people to have to change their lifestyles. They had to wear medical masks so they would not contract the disease. The West Nile Virus has caused heartache in many regions and cultures. The West Nile Virus (WNV) was first detected in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 and has since rapidly spread across the North American continent into all 48 continental states, seven Canadian provinces, and throughout Mexico. In addition, WNV activity has been detected in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guadeloupe and El Salvador. This disease has affected the people of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guadeloupe and El Salvador because the people of these nations do not have the money or the resources to purchase drugs to fight the disease if they do contract it. Since the people of these countries can’t buy the drug they have a higher rate of death. Whereas the United States can pay for there drugs and it will save many people. This disease has affected many of the cultures in this day. These deaths have happened as a result of the lack of resources and wealth. This disease will keep evolving unless the drugs are also sold in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guadeloupe and El Salvador.

SCIENTIFIC

West Nile Virus is a virus that is rapidly becoming more and more common in the United States. Due to the three different types of WNV (Meningitis and Encephalitis, Fever, and Clinical) has led to the severity depending on the different types. The majority of cases do not result in fatality, along with fever being the most common type. This type typically will last 4-5 weeks and will have no lasting effects. When WNV infects someone will not always show symptoms. In this case, there is no way to know if the disease will affect you or not. 80% of people injected with WNV will not display symptoms. Those who get infected with WNV will not be able to transmit the disease through coughing and casual contact. WNV is normally passed through mosquito saliva when a person or animal gets bitten with an infected mosquito. It is also very rarely passed through blood transfusions, transplants, and mother-to-child. Those who do get infected with WNV will typically display symptoms 3-14 days after being infected.