India, Oct. 4 -- The samples of four persons sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune have tested negative for the West Nile virus (WNV), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials said on Thursday.

"There is not a single case of WNV in the city. We have already conducted field surveillance and containment measures at the residence and surrounding areas of these persons," said Dr Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer, PMC.

The WNV is a mosquito-borne arbovirus of the family Flaviviridae, belonging to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic serocomplex. The virus spreads to humans through the bites of Culex Pipiens species of mosquitoes carrying the disease. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds or come in...