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 Originally from Africa, the virus has spread in Europe, Asia and
North America. It is mainly transmitted through mosquito bites and
can lead to a fatal neurological disease in humans, although most
people infected never develop any symptoms.
Scientists have said that milder temperatures attributed to climate
change could cause diseases such as the West Nile virus to become
more widespread.
"In light of favourable climatic conditions this year - an abundance
of precipitation... a warm and long autumn, a high number of (virus)
carriers could be observed in the autumn," Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's
consumer health watchdog, said.
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 The virus causes West Nile
fever in around 20% of cases, the World Health
Organization (WHO) has said. It is related to
the Zika, dengue and yellow fever viruses.
More than 80% of Russia's West Nile fever cases
are recorded in its southwest region.
There is no vaccine against the virus in humans
although one exists for horses, the WHO says.
(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; Editing
by Gareth Jones)
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