West Nile Virus Deadlier Than Expected, Scientists Suggest

The mosquito-borne West Nile virus is deemed deadlier than initially thought. A new study suggested that the death toll from the said virus could be much greater as its effects often kill people months or years after their supposed "recovery."

According to Science Mag, this is because people infected with the virus become more vulnerable to other infectious diseases, as well as kidney problems like renal failure.

Still, scientists are hoping that they can develop a vaccine that can help prevent the disease. Dr. Kristy Murray, an associate professor working with the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said, "At this time, the only way people can prevent the disease is protecting themselves from mosquito bites, which can sometimes be difficult to do."

West Nile fever was previously thought to be a manageable public health problem. The mosquito-borne virus is a relative of Zika and other yellow-fever viruses. It causes symptoms in one out of every five infected people, showing fever and flu-like illnesses. However, despite the seemingly mild symptoms, the virus can infect the central nervous system, which is fatal for humans.

Health Day magazine noted that researchers were able to come up with numbers: the estimated death rate from West Nile virus is at 13 percent, considerably higher than the estimated 4 percent as suggested in the early stages of infection.

Stephen Higgs, president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, said that the study is significant, with the potential to make a difference regarding awareness of the risks of the disease, but that more research into the virus is needed.

He said, "The commitment for increased funding for surveillance, training and research that was related to West Nile virus has dried up. We need to have sustained funding, not just funding under crisis conditions."