Question:
West Nile Virus:
Avoid Mosquito Bites to Avoid Infection
West Nile virus is continuing to spread across portions of the United
States. This virus can cause illness and sometimes fatal encephalitis (also
called inflammation of the brain) in people, horses, many types of birds,
and possibly other animals can be infected and thus serve as vectors in the
spread of the virus. It spreads through the bites of infected mosquitoes,
but there is no evidence to suggest that it can be spread from person to
person or from animal to person.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites
Human illness from West Nile virus remains rare in areas where it has been
reported, and the chance that any one person is going to become ill from a
mosquito bite is low.
You can further reduce your chances of getting ill by protecting yourself
from mosquito bites. To avoid mosquito bites, eliminate standing water
sources from around your home, always wear repellent and long-sleeved
clothes when you're outdoors, and stay indoors during peak mosquito hours.
Learn what you need to know about repellents, insecticides, and more.
Check to see what kind of organized mosquito control program-if any-exists
in your area. If no program exists, work with your local government
officials to establish a program. The American Mosquito Control Association
(www.mosquito.org) can provide advice, and their book Organization for
Mosquito Control is a useful reference.
Reporting dead birds
Many people now know that the virus hits many types of birds particularly
hard and that dead birds in a neighborhood may mean that mosquitoes carrying
the virus are in the area.
Most of the time, the bird's death was not caused by the virus. However, if
you see a dead bird, you should tell your local or state health department.
They may choose to pick up and test the bird for the virus.
See the Links to State and Local Government Sites page to find out how to
report dead birds in your area.
PLEASE NOTE: Because CDC is a federal agency, we do not deal directly with
the reporting of dead birds. State and local health departments are
responsible for initiating these investigations. They report their findings
to CDC.
Do you have other questions about West Nile virus? See...
Questions and Answers
Precise answers to the most common questions
CDC West Nile Virus Home Page
Detailed technical and general information on the subject
Links to State and Local Government Sites
Links to local information about West Nile virus
Emerging Infectious Disease journal featuring articles on West Nile virus
This issue of EID is devoted to West Nile virus
PLEASE NOTE: CDC is not a hospital or clinical facility; we do not see
patients and are unable to diagnose your illness, provide treatment,
prescribe medication, or refer you to specialists.
If you have a medical emergency, contacting CDC is not the proper way to get
immediate help. If you are a patient, please see your health care provider
or the nearest emergency room. If you are a health care provider, please
contact your state epidemiologist or local health department.
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