West Nile neck tie, black/gold

West Nile Virus is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes after feeding on infected birds.  In severe cases, WNV can induce encepthalitis and cause the death of its human host.  While it may have started on the West Nile (how can they tell it wasn't the East?), it's now a permanently established resident of the Western Hemisphere.  So much for immigration policy!

Original images courtesy of Richard J. Kuhn, Ph.D. and Suchetana Mukhopadyay, Ph.D.

Information courtesy of Infectious Awareables