West Nile Virus (WNV) has recently emerged in North America as a threat to both public and animal health. On this page, you'll find a list of resources on disease transmission, susceptibility, and prevention. Also listed are details regarding federal, state, and local government actions in assisting with disease surveillance and control.
West Nile Virus
What is West Nile Virus and how is it transmitted?There are two federal web sites that address this question: (1) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (human health issues and the transmission cycle and viral effects in mammals and bird species) and (2) The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (animal health issues).
How can I protect myself and my animals?See these websites for information on how to protect yourself:
- West Nile Virus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- West Nile Virus & Human Health, National Biological Information Infrastructure
- West Nile Virus, National Library of Medicine
See these websites for information on how to protect animals:
- West Nile Virus Factsheet, USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- West Nile Virus: Questions and Answers, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- Equine West Nile Virus Surveillance Data and Disease Information, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
What are states and local governments doing about this virus? If I find a dead bird, what do I do and who do I contact?The Centers for Disease Control, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases provides a map and links to state and local government West Nile Virus web sites.
West Nile Virus, 2007
USDA. NAL. Animal Welfare Information Center.
A bibliography and Web site resources related to the West Nile virus.
