Through the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes may be active during daylight as well as evening hours. The virus can infect anyone, but the elderly and the very young are at the greatest risk for developing serious disease. Symptoms of infection with West Nile Virus generally occur 5 to 15 days following the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who are infected have no symptoms or may experience a fever and headache before fully recovering.
More severe infections result in West Nile encephalitis with high fever, headache, confusion.
At its most serious, the infection can result in coma. Wear long sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin. Products which do not contain DEET may be less effective. Remove water from cans, jars, old tires, clogged roof gutters, yard decorations. or any other outdoor containers since mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Ensure that your home has tight-fitting screens over windows and doors to keep mosquitoes from entering apartments and homes.