The carrier of a virus that transmits a pathogen from host to host. A n organism that allows the virus to survive. Some hosts do not become ill, even though they carry an arbovirus, whereas others are sickened by the pathogens. Mosquitoes feed from infected birds, then pass on the virus while feeding from humans or animals. No, but symptoms can be treated.
Vaccines exist for some other mosquito-borne viruses, such as yellow fever virus.
While ticks have not yet tested positive for the West Nile virus, they may prove to be vectors in the future, which is a problem since aerial insceticides used for mosquito control do not eliminate ticks. If you are aware of birds dying in your area, particularly more than one bird, contact your local health department. You can find contact information in the blue pages of your Yellow Pages telephone book. You cannot be infected from touching or kissing a person with the disease, or from contact with a health worker who has recently treated someone with the disease. In general, only infected mosquitoes transmit the West Nile virus to humans.