West Nile virus encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by the West Nile virus. West Nile virus first appeared in the United States in 1999, when at least 62 people in the New York City area got sick and seven people died.
People get it from the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mosquitos are infected when they feed on an infected bird. When an infected mosquito bites a person, the virus is injected into the person and may cause illness. West Nile virus encephalitis is NOT spread from person to person. There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead birds. However, wear gloves whenever handling a dead animal, including birds.