West Nile virus is a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States. The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and some other mammals. West Nile fever is a case of mild disease in people, characterized by flu like symptoms. West Nile fever typically lasts only a few days and does not appear to cause any long-term health effects.

West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis is a rare disease caused by a virus. WNV grows in birds, and is transmitted from bird to bird by infected mosquitoes. If mosquitoes infected with the virus bite horses or humans, they can also become sick. The virus that causes WNV encephalitis occurs in Europe, Africa and Asia. It was first identified in the United States in New York during the summer of 1999. Since then, it has spread throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and as far west as Arkansas.

West Nile fever is an infection from WNV resulting in mild flu-like symptoms, typically lasting only a few days and does not cause long-term health problems. West Nile encephalitis is a severe illness with symptoms including headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.

West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease, which can cause an inflammation of the brain. WNV is commonly found in Africa, West Asia, the Middle East and Europe. For the first time in North America, WNV was confirmed in the New York metropolitan area during the summer and fall of 1999. WNV successfully over-wintered in the northeastern United States and was present in humans, horses, birds, and mosquitoes in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

West Nile virus, which causes West Nile fever, encephalitis and meningitis, is a mosquito-borne virus that first appeared in the United States in 1999. After being found in bird populations in the metropolitan New York area, it has since spread across the United States. As of fall 2006, six birds and one horse with West Nile Virus have been reported in King County.

According to the most recent reports that we have heard, one llama was suspected of having had West Nile Virus, but it was not confirmed. There has been a confirmed case in an alpaca.

When someone is infected with West Nile virus (WNV) they will typically have one of three outcomes: No symptoms (most likely), West Nile fever (WNF in about 20% of people) or severe West Nile disease, such as meningitis or encephalitis (less than 1% of those who get infected). If you develop a high fever with severe headache, consult your health care provider. West Nile fever is characterized by symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache and sometimes swollen lymph glands and rash.

No. West Nile encephalitis is not transmitted from person-to-person. For example, you cannot get West Nile virus from touching or kissing a person who has the disease, or from a health care worker who has treated someone with the disease.

If you develop signs of encephalitis, with fever, muscle weakness, and confusion, you should seek medical care immediately.

There is no specific therapy. In more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated, i.e. hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids and nutrition, airway management, ventilator support if needed, prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care.

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.

WNV is transmitted to people by the bite of a mosquito that has become infectious after feeding on a bird infected with the virus. Birds serve as the reservoir hosts of WNV, and the principal vector in the transmission from one bird to another is the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens and other Culex mosquitoes. WNV has also been found in several species of Aedes mosquitoes, which could serve as bridge vectors by transmitting it to humans or horses.

No, People become infected by the bite of a mosquito infected with West Nile virus. There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, you should avoid using your bare hands when handling any dead animals.