West Nile Fever
The West Nile virus is a disease originating in Africa, and seems to be traced back to the Uganda region. Incredibly rare at this point in time due travel distances, it is spread by mosquitoes and birds primarily. If a person is bit by an infected mosquito, or handles a diseased bird then there is a risk of transmission. Most people have next to no symptoms, and it passes them by. When the infection takes off in someone it can ravage them, even killing them. There is no cure for the disease. Horses, as well as humans, Aarakocra, and Half-Elves are common victims of it.
Transmission & Vectors
It is transferred through handling infected birds, or being bit by a mosquito. The mosquito generally only will target birds but can feed on humans if necessary.
Causes
Usually in warmer summer & autumn months cause a spike in mosquitos that infect victims while feeding on their bites. The virus travels from the mosquito to the host victim down the proboscis into their bloodstream. The warmer weather allows the mosquitos to breed and the females look for blood during this time.
Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms are the beginning of West Nile Fever. A list of linked symptoms may include: excessive sweating, fatigue, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, headache, chills, high fever, painful joints, and drowsiness. Gastrointestinal problems can possibly be linked, including nausea, vomiting, diarrheal, and loss of appetite. Some will develop neurological symptoms similar to meningitis, or motor neuron problems, along with a stiff neck. Sometimes a rash will appear on a few individual victims.
Treatment
There is currently no treatment for West Nile Fever, outside of magical cures.
Prognosis
Depending on what symptoms appear, and how strong the patient's immune system is, the fever can be somewhat alleviated. Depending on how bad the fever takes makes all the difference, with most showing some of the worst effects 3 to 6 days after infection. If left to their own devices the patient is likely to be left with permanent long-term damage in one form or another, whether to their immune system, neurological pathways, joints, their gastrointestinal tract, and/or skin. Timely intervention with magic is the only way to prevent the fever getting severe enough in the first place.
Sequela
Neurological damage happens quite regularly, along with gastrointestinal tract problems. A few cases the victim's joints can play up afterwards. These can flare up afterwards and the more damage done to the patient the worse it is. In a few cases if left untreated in the first instance the patient can easily die from the effects compounding one another.
Affected Groups
The main affected groups are specific species, affecting them the same (Aarakocras, Humans, Half-Elves, Horses). As usual, the elderly, very young, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems are the most vulnerable. Some, such as those with neurological, gut, or joint problems are also severely affected.
Hosts & Carriers
Bird and Mosquitoes.
Prevention
The safest way is not to handle diseased birds, and not get bit by mosquitoes. Using strongly scented herbs / spices, and avoiding swampy / watery regions during the summer & autumn months are the best way to prevent it.
Epidemiology
The only way West Nile Fever breaks out is by coming into contact with affected animals that will spread it if bit by them or handled / consumed. Only by passing these on, or by passing items with the mosquitoes present on them, will it spread.
History
So far, no known major outbreak has ever happened. Isolated villages and caravans, have been hit the hardest. This is partly due to the distances between settlements, and the difficulty in the virus spreading without the main transmissible vectors being present. When they are, it is usually only a localised outbreak.
The main regions it hits is Africa, and the region that will become Uganda. Outside of there, there is very little knowledge of West Nile Fever.
Cultural Reception
As any type of outbreak of a disease like this, the local population looks to isolate the victims, and will try to shut them away. Either that or send them to the nearest healer, cleric, or monastery for treatment.
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