Mosquitoes Spread West Nile Virus (IMAGE) Washington University School of Medicine Caption Thousands of people are living with memory loss and other long-term neurological problems as a result of West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes such as the one shown here preparing to feed on a human host. Now researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown that these problems may be due to the patients' own immune systems destroying parts of their neurons, which suggests that intervening in the immune response may help prevent brain damage or help patients recover. Credit CDC/ James Gathany Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.