The West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne arbovirus of the family Flaviviridae, has become a cause of concern across Kerala, especially in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts.

• The state has reported 12 confirmed and 4 suspected cases in the last week, triggering widespread panic. 
• Kerala is now under high alert amid reports that WNV is spreading around the world and causing human infections on every continent except Antarctica.
• West Nile virus is a single-stranded RNA virus transmitted mainly by mosquitoes, which shares similarities with viruses causing Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever. The virus is maintained in nature in a cycle involving transmission between birds and mosquitoes. It also infects humans, horses and other mammals.