Answers Questions About West Nile Virus West Nile virus has made its way to central and northern New York, and the Oswego County Health Department has received many phone calls from people asking questions about the disease. Birds appear to be more susceptible to infection by the virus than mammals. The virus can infect humans and horses. There is no evidence of the virus being transmitted directly from birds to humans. The virus is spread by mosquitoes, which bite live infected birds and then bite humans.
Wild birds appear to be the principal host of the West Nile virus.
Both the American crow and the fish crow appear to be highly susceptible to the virus and die in unusually large numbers. Other bird species are affected to varying degrees. Tracking bird deaths can serve as a sentinel for detection of viral activity in new areas. One dead bird may not have much significance, but several dead birds in an area may signal a problem. Contact the Oswego County Health Department.