Millions of migrating birds are helping West Nile virus spread to southern states, federal officials said Friday, leaving many wondering if the virus could reach Florida. West Nile virus has been isolated from 63 species of birds, including 53 free-roaming species from eight states. Many are migrating from Canada. The big question is whether they can seed the virus and start local transmission.
Mosquitos feed on the birds' blood and can transmit the virus to humans.
Last year, the virus infected 61 people in the New York City area, causing seven deaths, and killed many crows, horses and exotic zoo birds. So far this year, the virus has sickened 12 people in the Northeast and killed one. Symptoms of West Nile infection include high fever, headache and body aches, skin rash, swollen lymph glands, neck stiffness, disorientation and convulsions. Severe infections of West Nile virus can result in encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, an inflammation of the brain's lining and the spinal cord. Experts in Florida say they're not worried because the state's mosquito-control system has weathered much nastier St. Louis encephalitis outbreaks for years, and its residents are accustomed to taking precautions.