Can someone please explain West Nile virus?!

Definition
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes!. If you become infected with West Nile virus, you may not experience any signs or symptoms or you may only experience minor ones such as a skin rash and headache!. However, some people who become infected with West Nile virus develop a life-threatening illness that includes inflammation of the brain!.

West Nile virus is common in areas such as Africa, West Asia and the Middle East!. It first appeared in the United States in the summer of 1999 and since then has been found in all 48 contiguous states!.

Exposure to mosquitoes where West Nile virus exists increases your risk of getting West Nile virus!. Protecting yourself from such exposure, such as by using mosquito repellent and wearing clothing that covers your skin, can reduce your risk!.

Symptoms
Most have no symptoms
Most people infected with the West Nile virus have no signs or symptoms!.

Mild infection signs and symptoms
About 20 percent of people develop a mild infection called West Nile fever!. Common signs and symptoms of West Nile fever include:

Skin rash
Headache
Fever
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Backache
Muscle aches
Lack of appetite
Swollen lymph glands
Serious infection signs and symptoms
In less than 1 percent of infected people, the virus causes a serious neurological infection!. Such infection may include inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or of the brain and surrounding membranes (meningoencephalitis)!. Serious infection may also include infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), inflammation of the spinal cord (West Nile poliomyelitis) and acute flaccid paralysis

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