Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • BioInteractive Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

From Birds to People: The West Nile Virus Story

Start Interactive
Image from the interactive

Topic

  • Microbiology
  • Viruses
  • Pathogens & Disease
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Science as a Social Process

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
14 Users
Share This

Description

This tutorial explores the effects of West Nile virus infection on different organisms and describes how the virus has spread throughout the United States since 1999.

West Nile virus infects Culex mosquitoes, birds such as crows and jays, and humans—with very different consequences. This Click & Learn describes how each of these three groups is affected by the virus and contributes to the virus’s transmission and spread. Students also learn about the virus’s life cycle and how it depends on factors like temperature and climate.

The accompanying worksheet guides students’ exploration.

Student Learning Targets

Describe some of the factors that affect the spread of a mosquito-borne infectious disease.

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

bird, epidemiology, fever, genome, health care, host, mosquito, reservoir, strain, vector

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files partially meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 02.27.10
Date Updated 02.21.18

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1.A; SEP2

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-3.A, IST-4.B; SP1

IB Biology (2016)

4.1

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 8.9, 8.15, 9.4
Learning Objectives & Practices: STB-3.L, 5EIN-3.D, STB-4.E, SP2, SP5, SP7

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.1

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP3

Materials

Student Worksheet (PDF) 153 KB
Descriptive Transcript (PDF) 1 MB

Related Science News

The Worst Animal in the World

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Showing of
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Stopping Mosquito-Borne Disease
Image from the activity showing the mosquito trap components
Lessons
The Mosquito Life Cycle Activity
Graph from the activity
Data Points
Using Wolbachia to Suppress Mosquito Fertility
Image of a mosquito
Lessons
Tracking Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
Jay bird
Card Activities
West Nile Virus: Vectors and Hosts Game
Photo of mosquito larvae
Animations
The Mosquito Life Cycle
Illustration of a mosquito with body parts labeled
Labs & Demos
Factors That Affect the Mosquito Life Cycle
Electron micrograph of a mosquito proboscis coated in blood cells
Phenomenal Images
Deadly Straw
Computer image of a mosquito transmitting malaria
Animations
Malaria: Human Host
Computer image of malaria
Animations
Malaria: Mosquito Host
Image of a mosquito biting a human
Scientists at Work
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Volunteers hand out masks and hand sanitizer at a public event.
Scientists at Work
COVID-19 Sparks Community Action
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Stopping Mosquito-Borne Disease
Computer image of three different viruses
Animations
Viral Geometry and Structural Diversity
Image from the video
Animations
Treating HIV Infection with Protease Inhibitors
Computer illustration of viruses
Animations
Viral Life Cycle
Computer illustration of viruses infecting a cell
Animations
Recombination of Viral Genomes
3D model of the Ebola virus
Click & Learn
Virus Explorer
Image from the activity
Data Points
Patterns of Zoonotic Disease
Illustration of antibodies from the activity
Case Studies
Epidemiology of Nipah Virus
Image of a slide from the video
Clips
Relative Sizes of Bacteria and Viruses
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility