Is West Nile virus now established in the United States?
A. Yes. As of December 2002, WNV has been documented in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Q. How do people get infected with West Nile virus? A. By the bite of an infected mosquito. Q. What is the basic transmission cycle? A. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on infected birds, which have virus circulating in their bloodstream for a few days. Infected mosquitoes then transmit the virus to more birds, as well as to humans and other animals, when biting them. It is NOT transmitted from person-to-person. For example, you cannot get the virus from touching or kissing a person who has the disease, or from a health care worker who has treated someone with the disease. Q. Can you get West Nile virus directly from birds or other animals? A. There is no evidence that a person can get WNV from handling either live or dead infected animals. However, as a general precaution, always wear gloves when handling dead animals, including dead birds, and use double plastic bags when disposing of
