Month: December 2009

The recent emergence of pandemic influenza caused by the H1N1 strain of influenza virus has prompted considerable public concern, and inspired many people to take steps to prevent their exposure to the virus. The use of hand sanitizers is not useful for the prevention of most influenza viruses (they are mostly transmitted through the air). […]

West Nile Virus (WNv) is a flavivirus that in infected humans causes head- and body aches, fever, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. More serious effects occur if the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier. This event leads to development of encephalomyelitis and possibly to death. Mosquitoes that feed on infected blood from birds may become […]