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.

Proper cooking kills the WNV. There is most likely no danger associated with eating well-cooked wild game that might be infected.

Proper cooking kills the WNV, therefore, there is no danger associated with eating thoroughly cooked wild game that might be infected.

Proper cooking kills the virus. There is most likely no danger associated with eating well-cooked wild game that might be infected.

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.

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.

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.

The National Wildlife Health Center has found that a number of game bird species including ruffed grouse and waterfowl have tested positive for WNV. For a complete list of species, go to www.nwhc.usgs.gov/research/west_nile/wnvaffected.html. There is no evidence that WNV can be transmitted to humans through consuming infected birds or mammals. However, wearing rubber or latex gloves when handling and cleaning wild game is recommended to prevent blood exposure to bare hands.

There is minimal risk from consuming the infected eggs or infected meat provided it is well cooked. The danger is greater if the human beings come in contact with their droppings by inhaling them or by coming in contact with any material that is infected with the virus. At present there is no risk of transmission of the disease from another infected person since human transmission of the disease is not known to date. There is no evidence that bird flu is a food borne disease.

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.

The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no "pink" parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no "runny" yolks). Consumers should also be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw.

Some game birds have tested positive for WNV. However, there is no evidence of human infection by consumption of properly cooked infected game. Hunters are likely at higher risk of infection by mosquito exposure, particularly in wetland environments. Protective measures should be taken to prevent mosquito exposure while hunting. Also, WNV transmission to humans has been documented to occur by accidental injury in the laboratory and by blood transfusion.

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.

There is currently no evidence that WNV can be spread directly from birds to people. However, dead birds carry a variety of diseases and therefore should never be handled with bare hands. Use gloves to carefully place dead birds in double-plastic bags and then place in the outdoor trash. Dead crows and blue jays that are found should be reported to the Macomb County Health Department for possible testing.

There is no evidence that WNV can be transmitted directly from birds or mammals to humans through direct blood contact. However, hunters are always urged to take proper precautions and wear rubber gloves when field dressing game.

Since this virus was not detected in the Western Hemisphere until 1999, it is likely that native bird populations in the U.S. were not previously exposed to the virus. It is not unusual for a new disease to cause high rates of infection or death because they do not have natural immunity to the infection. It is not known if or how long it will take for populations to develop sufficient immunity.

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.

A blood test can determine whether or not a person is infected with HIV. The most commonly used test detects antibodies (disease-fighting proteins) against HIV. It may take as long as three to six months for HIV antibodies to reach levels that are measurable in standard blood tests.

There are no current reports of either wild or domestic Asian H5N1 infected birds in Canada. The CFIA, in partnership with other government and non-government organizations, continues to monitor commercial and non-commercial flocks and wild birds in Canada for the AI virus. Click here for more information on bird surveillance.

WNV is NOT transmitted from person to person. For example, you cannot get infected by WNV from touching or kissing a person who has the disease, or from contact with a health care worker who has recently treated someone with the disease.

The only people thought to be at risk are those involved in the slaughter and preparation of possibly infected meat. To be absolutely safe, the WHO recommends that all meat should be cooked to a temperature of at least 158˚ F. Eggs should also be thoroughly cooked. There is no bird flu in chickens in the US, so it is definitely safe to handle and prepare raw meat. In the event that birds with the disease migrate to the US, this point would need to be addressed at that time.

It is always sensible to prevent pets eating wild bird or other animal carcases given that there is the possibility that the death could have been caused by poisoning or from a severe bacterial infection or the carcase could have been deliberately poisoned for use as a bait.

Replace the seed and clean the feeder. The high oil content in many seeds and mixes can become rancid. Make sure the store from which you purchase your food keeps fresh inventory. Make sure the feeder's holes are open and not plugged. Many inexpensive wild bird food products contain high levels of sticks and other debris that will clog holes and ports.

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.

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.

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