Emergency Department Presentations of West Nile Virus.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Maricopa County, Arizona, experienced its largest West Nile virus outbreak in 2021, with 1,487 cases and 101 deaths, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to describe initial presentations of emergency department (ED) patients ultimately diagnosed with West Nile virus and determine how often patients presented to the ED before their diagnosis. To assist with disease recognition during future outbreaks, we examined in detail cases where emergency physicians initially did not suspect West Nile virus.

Methods

We reviewed records from May-December 2021 for patients with a positive West Nile virus result and at least one ED visit within 15 days. Data included age, sex, race, Emergency Severity Index (ESI) score, number of ED visits, chief complaint, vital

SUBMITTER: Jenkins K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12815563 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature