West Nile Virus Fact Sheet

West Nile Virus (WNV) Fact Sheet
What Is West Nile Virus? How Does West Nile Virus Spread?
West Nile virus infection can cause serious disease. WNV is Infected Mosquitoes.
established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. This Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on
fact sheet contains important information that can help infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread
you recognize and prevent West Nile virus. WNV to humans and other animals when they bite.
What Can I Do to Prevent WNV? Transfusions, Transplants, and Mother-to-Child.
In a very small number of cases, WNV also has been
The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent
spread directly from an infected person through blood
mosquito bites.
transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding and
When outdoors, use repellents containing DEET, during pregnancy from mother to baby.
picaridin, IR3535, some oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-
Not through touching.
menthane-diol. Follow the directions on the package.
WNV is not spread through casual contact such as
Many mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. touching or kissing a person with the virus.
Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves
and pants at these times or consider staying indoors
How Soon Do Infected People Get Sick?
during these hours. People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14
Make sure you have good screens on your windows days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito.
and doors to keep mosquitoes out. How Is WNV Infection Treated?
Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. In cases
standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. with milder symptoms, people experience symptoms such
Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water as fever and aches that pass on their own, although illness
in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water may last weeks to months. In more severe cases, people
drains out. Keep childrens wading pools empty and on usually need to go to the hospital where they can receive
their sides when they arent being used. supportive treatment including intravenous fluids, help
What Are the Symptoms of WNV? with breathing, and nursing care.
Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About 1 in 150 What Should I Do if I Think I Have WNV?
people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Milder WNV illness improves on its own, and people do
The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, not need to seek medical attention for this infection
neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, though they may choose to do so. If you develop
convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually
and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention
and neurological effects may be permanent. immediately. Severe WNV illness usually requires
Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent hospitalization. Pregnant women and nursing mothers
of the people who become infected will have are encouraged to talk to their doctor if they develop
symptoms which can include fever, headache, body symptoms that could be WNV.
aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen
lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and
back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days to
as long as several weeks.
No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80
percent of people who are infected with WNV will not
show any symptoms at all, but there is no way to know
in advance if you will develop an illness or not.
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

Division of Vector-Borne Diseases
CS242240-A
What Is the Risk of Getting Sick from WNV?
People over 50 at higher risk to get severe illness. People
over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms
of WNV if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid
mosquito bites.
Being outside means youre at risk. The more time youre
outdoors, the more time you could be bitten by an infected
mosquito. Pay attention to avoiding mosquito bites if you spend
time outside, either working or playing.
Risk through medical procedures is very low. All donated
blood is checked for WNV before being used. The risk of getting
WNV through blood transfusions and organ transplants is very
small, and should not prevent people who need surgery from
having it. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor.
What Is CDC Doing About WNV?
CDC is working with state and local health departments, the Food
and Drug Administration and other government agencies, as well as
private industry, to prepare for and prevent new cases of WNV.
Some things CDC is doing include:
Coordinating a nation-wide electronic database where states
share information about WNV
Helping states develop and carry out improved mosquito
prevention and control programs
Developing better, faster tests to detect and diagnose WNV
Creating new education tools and programs for the media, the public,
and health professionals
Working with partners to develop vaccines.
What Else Should I Know?

West Nile virus infects birds. In nature, West Nile virus cycles between mosquitoes and birds. Some
infected birds can develop high levels of the virus in their bloodstream and mosquitoes can become infected
by biting these infected birds. Some, but not all infected birds get sick and die of disease. One way health
officials conduct surveillance for West Nile virus is by testing local birds. Finding dead birds may be a sign
that West Nile virus is circulating between birds and the mosquitoes in an area. By reporting dead birds to
state and local health departments, you can play an important role in monitoring West Nile virus. State and
local agencies have different policies for collecting and testing birds, so check with your county or state
health department to find information about reporting dead birds in your area.
If you find a dead bird: Dont handle the body with your bare hands. Contact your local health
department for instructions on reporting and disposing of the body. They may tell you to dispose of the
bird after they log your report.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/westnile, or call CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or
888-232-6348 (TTY).

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West Nile Virus (WNV) Fact Sheet

National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

What Else Should I Know?

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