Schematic depiction of how NZWR can model the different aspects of human and equine WNV infections. Our study has shown that WNV-infected NZWRs produce a non-lethal phenotype that is representative of most human and equine infections. The asymptomatic nature of WNV infection in adult NZWRs makes this group of rabbits an appropriate model for determining factors responsible for asymptomatic resolution of human and equine WNV infections. Mild fever was observed in most weanling NZWRs infected with WNV, with some developing mild-moderate non-lethal neuropathology. This group is, therefore, a suitable model for investigating the mechanisms of WNV disease resolution. We also hypothesize that immunosuppression in weanling NZWRs may produce the lethal phenotype typically seen in fatal human and equine WNND cases. Further investigation is required for this particular aspect. This diagram used information obtained from [1,2,3,4,5,28]. # the reported equine case-fatality rate does not distinguish between euthanatized cases and natural deaths.