How is West Nile spread?
West Nile is a vector-borne disease, carried by the mosquito. The majority of the mosquito species living in the US are capable of transmitting West Nile. Mostly, West Nile infects birds, especially corvids (crows and jays), and tends to cause severe mortality (death) in birds when it reaches a new area. Humans appear to be incidental hosts; that is, the West Nile disease cycle is complete without humans, and West Nile tends to be transmitted to people by the bird => mosquito => human pathway, rather than a mosquito transmitting the disease between humans. What are the symptoms of West Nile? Most people (80%+) infected with West Nile virus will show no symptoms at all, while the majority who do show symptoms will develop West Nile fever. West Nile fever is characterized by non-specific symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, and myalgia (not feeling well). These symptoms can last for as short as several days to as long as several weeks. A small minority will develop West Nile meningitis
