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A pixelated micrograph of West Nile Virus, seen as yellow-orange clumps of spherical cells, surrounded by a gradient pink background.
A micrograph of the West Nile Virus (2014). (Photo: Cynthia Goldsmith, P.E. Rollin, USCDCP)

The West Nile virus is isolated for the first time.

1937

EPD
GLSO
ENV
A micrograph of the West Nile Virus (2014). (Photo: Cynthia Goldsmith, P.E. Rollin, USCDCP)

The virus is primarily a disease in Uganda, although carrier birds have long brought it elsewhere on the globe. Not all birds are carriers, but as bird diversity decreases due to environmental destruction, survivor species that are carriers increase the range of the West Nile virus and the potential for human contact.