Kunjin Virus Facts
Kunjin Virus Facts
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| Interesting Kunjin Virus Facts: |
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| Human infection with Kunjin virus is considered to be rare. When it does occur it most often appears in regions of northern Australia. |
| Kunjin virus is spread to humans via mosquitos from infected birds and mammals. |
| Symptoms if Kunjin virus infection can include fever, feeling unwell, headaches, muscle aches, rash, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and aching and swollen joints. |
| In some cases when Kunjin virus infection is severe, an infected person may develop encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain. |
| An individual that develops encephalitis may have symptoms such as fever, headaches, a stiff neck, confusion and irritability, feeling drowsy, and even seizures as the swelling increases. |
| In order to diagnose a case of Kunjin virus infection in a human a blood test can be done. It is also possible to test the cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal cord and brain for the presence of the virus. |
| The incubation period from infection from a mosquito bite to the onset of symptoms can range from 2 to 6 days and can last as long as 14 days. |
| No cases of human-to-human infection have been reported. |
| Once a person has been infected with the Kunjin virus it is believed that they have immunity for life. |
| There is no vaccine to prevent Kunjin virus in humans and there is no specific treatment once an infection occurs. |
| The best way to prevent Kunjin virus infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitos in regions where the Kunjin virus is known to exist. |
| The mosquito most responsible for transmitting the Kunjin virus to humans is the Culex annulirostris. |
| The nankeen night heron is a major host of the Kunjin virus. Horses are also reservoir hosts for the Kunjin virus. |
| Kunjin virus is commonly found in wetlands and rivers in Australia. |
| Prevention of the spread of Kunjin virus once identified can include the use of insecticides in water bodies and reducing standing water sources where mosquitos breed. |
| Mosquitos in South East Asia are also known to carry the Kunjin virus but it has not been identified in humans in this region. |
| In 2005 Kunjin virus particles were used in an experiment in which they were injected into mice to deliver a gene. This gene was delivered into the mice's immune system to target cancer cells. It is believed that this research may eventually lead to a vaccine for HIV and cancer. |
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