Question

What was the first human virus to be discovered?

Answer 1

In 1901 yellow fever virus was one of the first human viruses to be discovered by Walter Reed.

1. Yellow fever virus belongs to the Flavivirus family and it is an RNA virus.
2. Aedes or Haemagogus mosquito carries the virus and infects humans by bitting.
3. Mosquito on its own takes up the virus by feeding on an infected organism.
4. Yellow fever virus is natively found in Africa and in central and south America.
5. The virus causes yellow fever which shows symptoms like jaundice, fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.