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Frequently Asked Questions

How do people get infected with West Nile virus (WNV)?

West Nile Virus Questions Answered
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.
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Southern Nevada Health District - West Nile Virus Frequently...
The main 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 gets into the mosquito's salivary glands. During later blood meals (when mosquitoes bite), the virus may be injected into humans and animals, where it can multiply and possibly cause illness.
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How do people get infected with WNV?

Imperial County West Nile Virus FAQS - Entomology - Imperial...
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.
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When do people commonly become infected with WNV?

West Nile Virus FAQs
Infection occurs primarily in the late summer or early fall but in southern climates, WNV can be transmitted year round.
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How are people infected?

Avian Flu: Frequently Asked Questions - Shenyang, China
The main route of human infection is direct contact with infected poultry or surfaces and objects contaminated with their feces or blood. To date, most human cases have occurred in rural and periurban areas where households keep small poultry flocks that roam freely, often entering homes and sharing children's outdoor play areas. Large quantities of the virus are excreted in the feces of infected poultry.
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How do people become infected?

Bird Flu FAQ Bird Flu
Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their faeces, is presently considered the main route of human infection. To date, most human cases have occurred in rural or periurban areas where many households keep small poultry flocks, which often roam freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children play.
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What other animals get infected with WNV?

Mosquito FAQ
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.
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How do people get infected with West Nile (WNV) or eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus?

Division of Infectious Disease > Mosquito-borne Disease F...
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.
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How do the horses become infected with WNV or EEE?

Division of Infectious Disease > Mosquito-borne Disease F...
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.
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How does a person get infected with WNv?

Resort Municipality of Whistler
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.
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Can people become infected with avian influenza?

Although it is possible for people to become infected with avian influenza, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the virus does not spread easily from animals to humans. There have been confirmed cases of human infection in Asia, but those occurred in association with virus outbreaks in poultry, usually among people who live and work in close quarters with the animals.
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Pandemic Flu | Brandeis University
Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their feces, is considered the main route of human infection. Most human cases have occurred in rural areas where households keep small poultry flocks, which roam about freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children play.
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Can my dog or cat get WNV by eating an infected animal?

USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Frequently Asked Ques...
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.
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Can you get WNV from eating game birds or animals that have been infected?

Southern Nevada Health District - West Nile Virus Frequently...
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.
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Can the doctor treat my cat or dog if they become infected with WNV?

Crater Animal Clinic - Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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Can I become infected with WNV if a dog with the virus bites me?

Crater Animal Clinic - Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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Do birds naturally infected with WNV die or become ill?

Town of Tewksbury - Board of Health
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.
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What are my chances of getting infected with WNV?

Q&A - West Nile virus: Signs, Symptoms, Transmission
of Boulder County residents are at risk for contracting West Nile virus ? that includes children, grandparents, and YOU!
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How can I reduce my risk of becoming infected with WNV?

Imperial County West Nile Virus FAQS - Entomology - Imperial...
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.
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WHAT IS WNV?

Environmental Health and Lab: Madison Department of Public H...
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.
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Do only humans become ill when infected with WNV?

West Nile Virus FAQs
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.
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What kinds of birds can be infected with WNV?

West Nile Virus FAQs
WNV has been identified in more than 103 species of birds, including captive, exotic, and those native to the US
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Have there been any WNV infected birds found in Illinois?

West Nile Virus FAQs
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.
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Can my pets be infected with WNV?

West Nile Virus FAQs
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.
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