What is West Nile?
West Nile is a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia and the Middle East. It is closely related to the St. Louis encephalitis virus which is also found in the United States. The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and some mammals. West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness. West Nile virus is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into fall. In the southern climates where temperatures are milder, West Nile virus can be transmitted year round. Q: How do people get infected with West Nile virus? A: 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
