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.
Most cases are mild.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. More severe cases can cause headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and rarely, death. People over age 50 have the highest risk of getting severely ill if bitten by a mosquito infected with West Nile virus. Infants may also be at increased risk. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus encephalitis, but the symptoms can be treated.