West Nile Virus and humans

How do people get infected with West Nile virus (WNV)? ANSWER: 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. How does West Nile virus actually cause severe illness and death in humans? ANSWER: Following transmission by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus multiplies in the person's blood system and crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissue. Can you get West Nile encephalitis from another person? ANSWER: 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. Besides mosquitoes, can you get West Nile virus directly from other insects or ticks? ANSWER: Infected mosquitoes are the primary source for West Nile virus. Although ticks infected with West Nile virus have been found in Asia and Africa, their role in the transmission and maintenance of the virus is uncertain. However, there is no information to suggest that ticks played any role in the cases identified in the United States. Birds and West Nile Virus Do birds infected with West Nile virus die or become ill? ANSWER: In the 1999 New York area epidemic, there was a large die-off of American crows. Since then, West Nile virus has been identified in more than 100 species of birds found dead in the United States. Most of these birds were identified through reporting of dead birds by the public. What should I do if I find a dead bird? ANSWER: Check with your local or state health departments for instructions on reporting and disposing of a dead bird. If you need to pick up a dead bird, or local authorities tell you to simply dispose of it: Avoid bare-handed contact with any dead animals, and use gloves or an inverted plastic bag to place the bird carcass in a garbage bag How many types of animals have been found to be infected with West Nile virus? ANSWER: Although the vast majority of infections have been identified in birds, WN virus has been shown to infect horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. Other diseases Are there other types of diseases carried by mosquitoes? ANSWER: Yes. Worldwide, millions of people die each year from mosquito-borne diseases -mostly in poor countries. These diseases will result in the deaths of 1 of every 17 people currently alive (Source: CDC). According to the World Health Organization, Mosquitoes transmit the arboviruses responsible for dengue hemorrhagic fever, epidemic polyarthritis, yellow fever, and several forms of encephalitis including that caused by West Nile Virus. Bancroftian filariasis is caused by a nematode transmitted by mosquito bite. Do other insects carry disease? ANSWER: Yes. Flies and other biting insects throughout the world carry a host of diseases. In the U.S. ticks are the most notorious as they carry Lyme's Disease & Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Here is an interesting article on possible link between blood sucking flies and HIV. http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992034 The most effective outdoor clothing for avoiding contact with disease carrying insects is Adventure Shield by Tiger Mountain Gear.