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West
Nile Virus: Q & A
West Nile Virus and Birds
Q. Do birds infected with West Nile virus die or become ill?
A. In the 1999 New York area epidemic,
there was a large die-off of American crows. Since then, West Nile virus has
been identified in more than 100 species of birds found dead in the United
States. Most of these birds were identified through reporting of dead birds by
the public.
Q. How can I report a sighting of dead bird(s) in my area?
A. The Genesee County Health Department is no longer collecting dead birds
to test them for the virus. However, you may report the location of the dead
bird(s) by calling the toll-free hotline at 888-668-0869.
Q. Why have some areas stopped collecting dead birds?
A. WNV has already been identified in a dead crow from Genesee County
this year. This demonstrates that the virus is in the area, and additional
testing will not reveal any more information. Shifting resources away from
testing of dead birds allows those resources to be devoted elsewhere in
surveillance and control.
Q. Should people stop feeding birds?
A. There is no reason for people to stop feeding birds. Feeding birds
does not increase a person's risk for contracting WNV infection.
Q. How often should you change the water in your birdbath?
A. In order to interrupt mosquito-breeding cycles, change the water at
least once or twice a week in birdbaths and other outdoor containers such as
animal water dishes. Look around the yard or patio to make sure that buckets and
other containers that are not in use are empty, and turn them over so that they
cannot collect water. Be sure to check for containers or trash that may be hard
to see (such as those under a bush or under the house).
West Nile Virus and Dogs and
Cats
Q. Can West Nile virus cause illness in dogs or cats?
A. West Nile virus does not appear
to cause serious illness in dogs or cats. A study conducted in New York
City in 1999 indicated that dogs do become infected with the virus,
however disease from WN virus infection in dogs has yet to be documented.
Q. Can infected dogs or cats be carriers (i.e.,
reservoirs) for West Nile virus and transmit the virus to humans?
A. West Nile virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes. There is
no documented evidence of person-to-person, animal-to-animal, or
animal-to-person transmission of West Nile virus. Veterinarians should
take normal infection control precautions when caring for an animal
suspected to have this or any viral infection.
Q. How do dogs or cats become infected with West Nile
virus?
A. The same way humans become infected—by the bite of infectious
mosquitoes. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands. During
blood feeding, the virus is injected into the animal. The virus then
multiplies and may cause illness. Mosquitoes become infected when they
feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a
few days. It is possible that dogs and cats could become infected by
eating dead infected animals such as birds, but this is unproven.
Q. Can a dog or cat infected with West Nile virus infect
other dogs or cats?
A. No. There is no documented evidence that West Nile virus is
transmitted from animal to animal.
Q. How long can a dog or cat be infected with West Nile
virus?
A. The answer is not known at this time.
Q. Should a dog or cat infected with West Nile virus be
destroyed? What is the treatment for an animal infected with West Nile
virus?
A. No. There is no reason to destroy an animal just because it has
been infected with West Nile virus. Full recovery from the infection is
likely. Treatment would be supportive and consistent with standard
veterinary practices for animals infected with a viral agent.
West Nile Virus and Horses
Q. Has West Nile virus caused severe illness or death in
horses?
A. Yes, while data suggest that
most horses infected with West Nile virus recover, results of
investigations indicate that West Nile virus has caused deaths in horses
in the United States.
Q. How do the horses become infected with West Nile virus?
A. The same way humans become infected—by the bite of infectious
mosquitoes. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands. When
mosquitoes bite or "feed" on the horse, the virus is injected
into its blood system. The virus then multiplies and may cause illness.
The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds or other
animals.
Q. How does the virus cause severe illness or death in
horses?
A. Following transmission by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus
multiplies in the horse's blood system, crosses the blood-brain barrier,
and infects the brain. The virus interferes with normal central nervous
system functioning and causes inflammation of the brain.
Q. Can I get infected with West Nile virus by caring for
an infected horse?
A. West Nile virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes. There is
no documented evidence of person-to-person or animal-to-person
transmission of West Nile virus. Normal veterinary infection control
precautions should be followed when caring for a horse suspected to have
this or any viral infection.
Q. Can a horse infected with West Nile virus infect horses
in neighboring stalls?
A. No. There is no documented evidence that West Nile virus is
transmitted between horses. However, horses with suspected West Nile virus
should be isolated from mosquito bites, if at all possible.
Q. My horse is vaccinated against eastern equine
encephalitis (EEE), western equine encephalitis (WEE), and Venezuelan
equine encephalitis (VEE). Will these vaccines protect my horse against
West Nile virus infection?
A. No. EEE, WEE, and VEE belong to another family of viruses for which
there is no cross-protection.
Q. Can I vaccinate my horse against West Nile virus
infection?
A. A West Nile virus vaccine for horses was recently approved, but its
effectiveness is unknown.
Q. How long will a horse infected with West Nile virus be
infectious?
A. It is not known if an infected horse can be infectious (i.e., cause
mosquitoes feeding on it to become infected). However, previously
published data suggest that the virus is detectable in the blood for only
a few days.
Q. What is the treatment for a horse infected with West
Nile virus? Should it be destroyed?
A. There is no reason to destroy a horse just because it has been
infected with West Nile virus. Data suggest that most horses recover from
the infection. Treatment would be supportive and consistent with standard
veterinary practices for animals infected with a viral agent.
Q. Where can I get more information on horses and West
Nile virus?
A. Visit the USDA Web site Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
West Nile Virus and Wild
Game Hunters
Q. Are duck and other wild game hunters at risk for West
Nile virus infection?
A. Because of their outdoor
exposure, game hunters may be at risk if they become bitten by mosquitoes
in areas with West Nile virus activity. The extent to which West Nile
virus may be present in wild game is unknown.
Q. What should wild game hunters do to protect against
West Nile virus infection?
A. Hunters should follow the usual precautions when handling wild
animals. If they anticipate being exposed to mosquitoes, they should apply
insect repellents to clothing and skin, according to label instructions,
to prevent mosquito bites. Hunters should wear gloves when handling and
cleaning animals to prevent blood exposure to bare hands and meat should
be cooked thoroughly.
Q. Who should wild game hunters contact for information
about the risk for West Nile virus infection in specific geographic areas?
A. Hunters should check with their local area department of wildlife
and naturalist resources, the Genesee County Health Department or the US
Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI,
608-270-2400 for information on local area risk.
Q. Can you get West Nile virus from eating game birds or
animals that have been infected?
A. There is no evidence that West Nile virus can be transmitted to
humans through consuming infected birds or animals. In keeping with
overall public health practice, and due to the risk of known food-borne
pathogens, people should always follow procedures for fully cooking meat
from either birds or mammals.
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