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West
Nile Virus
West Nile virus is spread by the bite of an infected
mosquito, and can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and some
other animals. Most people who become infected with West Nile virus
will have either no symptoms or only mild ones. However, on rare
occasions, West Nile virus infection can result in severe and sometimes
fatal illnesses.
There is no evidence to suggest that West Nile virus
can be spread from person to person or from animal to person. Apply repellent when you are going to be outdoors and
will be at risk for getting bitten by mosquitoes. Visit the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Web Site for more information on insect repellent.
Many of the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus
are especially likely to bite around dusk and dawn. If you are outdoors
around these times of the day, it is important to apply repellent. In
many parts of the country, there are mosquitoes that also bite during
the day, and these mosquitoes have also been found to carry the West
Nile virus. The safest decision is to apply repellent whenever you are
outdoors.
Basic
transmission cycle
Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected
birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days.
Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to humans and
animals while biting to take blood. The virus is located in the
mosquito's salivary glands. During blood feeding, the virus may be
injected into the animal or human, where it may multiply, possibly
causing illness. Even in areas where the virus is circulating, very few
mosquitoes are infected with the virus. Even if the mosquito is
infected, less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected will
get severely ill.
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