The continued expansion of West Nile virus in the United States indicates that it is permanently established in the Western Hemisphere.

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.

this time, there is no vaccine approved for llamas against West Nile Virus. We hope that by the spring, when the mosquitos are out in force again, a vaccine will have been developed. We will keep you posted as we learn more.

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.

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.

WNV is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. A mosquito becomes infected by biting a bird that carries the virus. You or your child cannot get WNV from a person who has the disease. WNV is not spread by person-to-person contact such as touching, kissing, or caring for someone who is infected.

Horses become infected with West Nile virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The mosquito acquires the virus by feeding on an infected bird and then the mosquito transmits the virus when it feeds on a horse, human or other mammal. Horses and humans are considered "dead end hosts," meaning they cannot transmit the West Nile virus to other horses, birds or people. Horses in the United States have been infected with the virus. USDA: Current Status of West Nile Virus

a land and facility owner, operator, employer, drainage system owner/operator, and municipality, the City of Kirkland is managing the risks posed by West Nile virus by:

Dog owners may express concern regarding the risks of their pets contracting West Nile Virus (WNV) from mosquitoes. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is providing the following information regarding WNV in an effort to help educate dog owners on the risks associated with WNV and the agents that may be used to repel mosquitoes. World-wide here have been very few reported cases of WNV-related disease in dogs, which reflects the fact that they are not very susceptible to the virus.

In 2001, a vaccine was conditionally approved for horses, which must be administered by a veterinarian. The initial vaccine is a two-injection series given three weeks apart. Both injections must be given to provide protection from West Nile virus. Foals may be vaccinated at 12 weeks of age and require a second dose three weeks later. If foals are vaccinated prior to 12 weeks of age, a three-dose series is recommended.

Yes. As of August 22, 2003 sentinel chickens in Emery and Carbon County were confirmed positive with the virus. Horse cases have also been confirmed positive in Uintah and Emery counties. West Nile virus has been detected in mosquito pools in Utah and Uintah counties.

Health officials say infection confers lifelong immunity, though they say immunity may wane in later years.

There is currently no evidence that West Nile virus can be spread directly from birds to people. However, dead birds can 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.

West Nile virus has been commonly found in humans and birds and other vertebrates in Africa, Eastern Europe, West Asia, and the Middle East, but until 1999 had not previously been documented in the Western Hemisphere. It is not known from where the U.S. virus originated, but it is most closely related genetically to strains found in the Middle East.

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will develop West Nile fever: mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.