People get it from the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitos are infected when they feed on an infected bird. When an infected mosquito bites a person, the virus is injected into the person and may cause illness. West Nile virus encephalitis is NOT spread from person to person. West Nile virus has been detected in breast milk, raising the possibility that the microbe could be transmitted through nursing as well as by blood transfusion, organ donation and the usual route, mosquito bite. The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and some other mammals.

• symptoms of a mild infection: fever, headache, bodyaches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands
• symptoms of a severe infection may be marked by: high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, coma and death.
• Contact your health care provider if you have concerns about your health. If severe symptoms develop, see your doctor immediately

The incubation period for West Nile Virus is generally 5-15 days following a bite from an infected mosquito.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outdoors.
• You may want to limit the amount of time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk, or at other times when mosquitos are active.
• Use insect repellent that contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Be sure to carefully follow the directions on the label. DEET can be harmful if overused. It should be applied sparingly, to clothing and exposed areas of skin. It should not be applied to a child’s face or hands, or to skin that is scratched or irritated. When applying DEET to younger children do not apply to hands that maybe put in the mouth as ingested DEET maybe dangerous.Use DEET repellents with concentrations below 10 percent for children and below 30 percent for adults. Do not use DEET on infants. Do not use DEET on children under age 3 or in concentrations greater than listed above, without first consulting your health care provider. Cream, lotion, or stick formulas are best for applying to areas of exposed skin. Wash skin where DEET was applied when mosquito exposure has ended.
• Take special care to cover up the arms and legs of children playing outdoors.
• Cover baby carriages or outdoor playpens with mosquito netting.
• Fix any holes in your screens and make sure they are tightly attached to the doors and windows.
• Wash DEET off after coming indoors.
• DEET has been used safely in pregnant and breast feeding women; although, avoiding DEET and areas with mosquitoes maybe better.

• Dispose of, or regularly empty, any metal cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, and other water holding containers (including trash cans) on your property.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires. Tires are a common place for mosquitos to breed.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors, so water can drain out.
• Clean clogged roof gutters of leaves and debris that prevent drainage of rainwater.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths. Change it every three or four days.
• Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
• Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated. Remove standing water from pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.