LYCOS RETRIEVER 
West Nile Virus: Birds
built 434 days ago
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a virus that is spread by infected mosquitoes. The virus usually infects birds, but it can be spread to humans by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds and then bite humans. The virus cannot be spread by person-to-person contact.
Source:
Signs of West Nile Virus in horses include stumbling, staggering, loss of coordination, muscle twitching, circling, and inability to stand. Birds serve as the primary reservoir for harboring the disease. Mosquitoes transmit the disease to humans and horses after feeding on infected birds.
Source:
The West Nile virus (WNV) belongs to the Flaviviridae family (genus Flavivirus) and is part of the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) serocomplex. JE viruses are maintained in nature by a mosquito vector and bird reservoir host. Humans and other mammals infected with WNV are considered "dead-end" hosts, as they are not expected to contribute to the transmission cycle. Although the exact origin of the WNV found in the U.S. remains unknown, the strain isolated from the 1999 outbreak is most closely related to that isolated in Israel in 1998 from a dead goose.
Source:
West Nile is a virus that is spread by the Culex species of mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on infected birds, and then transmit the virus to humans and animals through bites. Once in the bloodstream, the virus multiplies and spreads. If the virus reaches the brain, the result is encephalitis — an inflammation of the brain that can affect the entire nervous system. Although rare, encephalitis is the most serious complication associated with the virus.
Source:
The West Nile virus, like most mosquito-borne viruses, is found in wild birds. The disease caused by the virus was first described in Africa in 1937, with outbreaks occurring later in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The virus was first documented in North America in 1999.
Source:
Bird Maps: West Nile infected dead birds are indicators of the virus presence. In 2004, viral positive dead birds were recovered from nearly all areas of Los Angeles County. Since then, collection, testing and site posting of viral positive dead birds have been ongoing. For current bird maps and information on how to collect dead birds for disease testing visit Veterinary Public Health. 2005 Map / 2006 Map
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Birds