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West
Nile Virus
Can you get West Nile virus directly from other
insects or ticks?
Infected mosquitoes are the primary source for West Nile
virus. Although ticks infected with West Nile virus have been found in Asia and
Africa, their role in the transmission and maintenance of the virus is
uncertain.
However, there is no information to suggest that ticks played
any role in the cases identified in the United States.
Although the vast majority of infections have been identified
in birds, West Nile virus has been shown to infect horses, cats, bats,
chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits.
There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from
handling live or dead infected birds. However, persons should avoid barehanded
contact when handling any dead animals and use gloves or double plastic bags to
place the carcass in a garbage can.
The
Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned that West Nile virus, which infected
4156 and killed 284 people in the U.S. last year, is now showing signs of a
re-emergence.
The agency said
cases have been reported in birds, horses, and mosquitoes in 24 states. No human
cases have been reported this year. “Whether or not this season will be a
replay of last year is a little early to say,” Dr. Ostroff said.
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