The period between exposure to WNV and having symptoms is 3 to 14 days. Testing for WNV infection is available. No vaccine is currently available to prevent WNV infection in humans. Employers of laboratory, field, and clinical workers should protect their workers from WNV exposure by taking the following steps: Provide training that describes how WNV is transmitted and reinforces knowledge about the risks of WNV exposure and infection.

Besides birds, the virus has been identified in horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. Just recently it has been found in dogs. WNV is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes. There is no documented evidence that the virus is transmitted from animal to person.

The same way humans become infected—by the bite of infectious mosquitoes. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands. When mosquitoes bite or "feed" on the horse, the virus is injected into its blood system. The virus then multiplies and may cause illness. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds or other animals.

People are infected with WNv by being bitten by an infected mosquito. The risk level in the province is expected to vary by region and to flare up in the summer and fall depending on climate conditions. The public will be notified by public health officials if birds or mosquitoes in the province test positive for the virus. When people are exposed to mosquitoes in an area the WN virus has been detected they are at risk for infection.

The principle route of human infection with West Nile virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. The virus eventually finds its way into the mosquito's salivary glands. During subsequent blood meals, the virus may be injected into humans and animals, where it can multiply and possibly cause illness.

Experimentally, it was found that this may be possible. However, there has been no evidence to indicate transmission of WNV to cats or dogs that carry or consume infected animals has occurred naturally. Dogs and cats can get infected by the bite of a mosquito, thus minimizing their exposure to mosquitoes is recommended.

There is no evidence West Nile virus can be transmitted to humans through consuming infected birds or animals. In keeping with overall public health practice, and due to the risk of known food-borne pathogens, people should always follow procedures for fully cooking meat from either birds or mammals.

There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. Full recovery from the infection is likely. Treatment would be supportive (managing symptoms, if present) for animals infected with a viral agent. There is no documented evidence of dog or cat-to-person transmission of West Nile virus. The evidence suggests that dogs do not develop enough virus in their bloodstream to infect more mosquitoes.

Preliminary studies have not been able to detect virus in the saliva of infected dogs. This suggests that dog bites pose a low risk, if any, of transmission of WNV from dogs to other animals or people.

Since 1999, large numbers of North American crows and other birds have become seriously ill and died. Many other species of birds become infected, develop a high viremia and then immunity, but do not become ill.

of Boulder County residents are at risk for contracting West Nile virus ? that includes children, grandparents, and YOU!

People become infected by the bite of a mosquito infected with WNV. Mosquitoes get WNV from birds. Most mosquito bites will not transmit the disease, but it only takes the bite of one mosquito carrying the WNV to potentially cause an infection. There is an incubation time of 5-15 days between the time a person is bitten and the onset of illness.

A. There are no human vaccines to prevent WNV infection at this time, but several companies are working towards developing a vaccine. Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, from dusk until dawn. Wear loose fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing tight fitting clothing. Treat clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET.

West Nile Virus is a virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1937. This virus was first identified in the United States in 1999 during an outbreak in New York. Since that time, the virus has been found in mosquitoes, birds, horses, and humans in various locations in the United States.

Infection occurs primarily in the late summer or early fall but in southern climates, WNV can be transmitted year round.

Other animals can shows signs of illness when infected with WNV. Horses exposed to WNV can develop encephalitis. Also, certain birds, especially crows, blue jays and hunting birds such as hawks and falcons can become ill and die with WNV infection.

WNV has been identified in more than 103 species of birds, including captive, exotic, and those native to the US

In 2001, 138 birds from seven counties tested positive for WNV. Since sample collection began on May 1, 2002, one bird, found in Kane County, tested positive.

Cases of WNV have been reported in dogs and cats but infection rates in epidemic areas are low. WNV does not usually cause severe illness in dogs and cats. There is NO reason to destroy an animal because it has been infected with WNV. Full recovery is likely and direct transmission of the virus to you or your other pets is unlikely.

No, mosquitoes infected with the virus can transmit it through a bite to birds, horses, and other mammals, (crows, squirrels, sheep, ducks and chickens).

These diseases are transmitted by infectious mosquitoes. There is no documented evidence of person-to-person or animal-to-person transmission of WNV or EEE. Normal veterinary infection control precautions should be followed when caring for a horse suspected to have these or any viral infection.

If treatment is recommended, consider your options and work with your doctor/clinician and local support system to prepare a treatment plan.

People may be exposed to WNV when an infected mosquito bites them. However, only a small percentage of mosquitoes are expected to carry the virus so the risk of being infected with WNV from any single mosquito bite is very small. For a mosquito to become infected with the virus, it must bite an infected bird.

The main route of human infection with West Nile and EEE virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito. Neither virus can be passed between people by coughing, sneezing, shaking hands, sharing food, etc. Additional routes of human infection were identified for WNV during the 2002 West Nile epidemic. It is important to note that these other methods of transmission represent a very small proportion of cases.

Laboratory workers have been infected with WNV on the job. One case involved a worker whose skin was cut with a scalpel while doing a necropsy of an infected bird. Another worker was infected as a result of a finger puncture with a contaminated needle.