What is Western equine encephalitis?

What is Western equine encephalitis?

• Western equine encephalitis: An infectious disease caused by an arbovirus (Alphavirus - Togaviraidae) and transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The infection primarily attacks that central nervous system and severity can range from asymptomatic to severe complications and even death in rare cases.
• Western equine encephalitis: A form of arboviral encephalitis (which primarily affects horses) endemic to western and central regions of NORTH AMERICA. The causative organism (ENCEPHALOMYELITIS VIRUS, WESTERN EQUINE) may be transferred to humans via the bite of mosquitoes (CULEX tarsalis and others). Clinical manifestations include headache and influenza-like symptoms followed by alterations in mentation, SEIZURES, and COMA. DEATH occurs in a minority of cases. Survivors may recover fully or be left with residual neurologic dysfunction, including PARKINSONISM, POSTENCEPHALITIC. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch26, pp8-9)
  Source - Diseases Database

Western equine encephalitis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Western equine encephalitis, or a subtype of Western equine encephalitis, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Western equine encephalitis: Introduction

Types of Western equine encephalitis:

Broader types of Western equine encephalitis:

• Brain conditions
• Brain infection
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Nervous system conditions
• Head conditions
• Viral diseases
• Conditions involving a pathogen
• more types...»

How many people get Western equine encephalitis?

Incidence (annual) of Western equine encephalitis: 1 annual cases notified in USA 1999 (MMWR 1999)
Incidence Rate of Western equine encephalitis: approx 1 in 272,000,000 or 0.00% or 1 people in USA [about data]

How serious is Western equine encephalitis?

Complications of Western equine encephalitis: see complications of Western equine encephalitis

What causes Western equine encephalitis?

Causes of Western equine encephalitis: see causes of Western equine encephalitis

What are the symptoms of Western equine encephalitis?

Symptoms of Western equine encephalitis: see symptoms of Western equine encephalitis

Complications of Western equine encephalitis: see complications of Western equine encephalitis

Can anyone else get Western equine encephalitis?

More information: see contagiousness of Western equine encephalitis
Inheritance: see inheritance of Western equine encephalitis

Western equine encephalitis: Testing

Diagnostic testing: see tests for Western equine encephalitis.

Misdiagnosis: see misdiagnosis and Western equine encephalitis.

How is it treated?

Doctors and Medical Specialists for Western equine encephalitis: Infectious Disease Specialist, Neurologist ; see also doctors and medical specialists for Western equine encephalitis.
Treatments for Western equine encephalitis: see treatments for Western equine encephalitis
Research for Western equine encephalitis: see research for Western equine encephalitis

Organs Affected by Western equine encephalitis:

Organs and body systems related to Western equine encephalitis include:

• Brain

Name and Aliases of Western equine encephalitis

Main name of condition: Western equine encephalitis

Class of Condition for Western equine encephalitis: animal

WEE, Western equine encephalomyelitis

WEE, Western equine encephalomyelitis
Source - Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Western equine encephalitis: Related Conditions

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Western equine encephalitis:

• Brain abscess
• Meningitis
• Corticosteroids
• Antibiotics

Search Specialists by State and City