Residents can eliminate mosquito-breeding sites in their homes and neighborhoods through simple actions such as properly maintaining bird baths and water gardens and proper container storage. By preventing mosquitoes from breeding, we all can go a long way to protecting our health. Visitors can log on and sign up to receive news releases and other updates on West Nile automatically by e-mail. The West Nile virus is spread to people by the Northern house mosquito infected with the virus. It previously only was found in Africa, Eastern Europe and West Asia.
Mosquitoes acquire the virus from infected birds and horses.
Those mosquitoes then transmit the virus to people and other animals. West Nile virus, when transmitted to humans can cause West Nile encephalitis. West Nile encephalitis is an infection that can cause an inflammation of the brain. Older people have the highest risk of developing severe illness because, as people age, their bodies have a harder time fighting off disease. People with compromised immune systems also are at risk.