Clarke Mosquito

What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is a close relative of St. Louis encephalitis, and first appeared in the New York City area in 1999. West Nile Virus is most common in Africa, the Middle East, and West and Central Asia. It is not known how the virus entered the United States.

Disease Transmission
West Nile encephalitis is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that is carrying WNV. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus by biting a wild bird that has the virus. Though birds are the primary host of West Nile Virus, it is not transmitted directly from birds to people, or through person to person contact.