West Nile Virus (cont.)
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West Nile Virus and West Nile Encephalitis Causes
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by biting birds (or other animals like horses or dogs) that harbor the virus; thus, mosquitoes are the vectors of West Nile encephalitis (WNE). The virus is not spread from person to person nor is it spread from infected birds to humans without a mosquito bite. The virus has now been found in 111 bird species and about a dozen mammals.
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 4/9/2015
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West Nile encephalitis (WNE) is distinguished from other arthropod-borne causes of viral encephalitis (eg, western equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis [EEE], Japanese encephalitis, Venezuelan encephalitis) based on its geographic distribution, clinical features, and laboratory findings.