General Questions

Q: What is West Nile virus?

A: West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Q: What is West Nile encephalitis?

A: "Encephalitis" means an inflammation of the brain and can be caused by viruses and bacteria, including viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. West Nile encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by West Nile virus, a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States.

Q: How do people become infected with West Nile virus?

A: People are only infected with West Nile virus when an infected female mosquito bites them. People cannot catch the virus from infected animals (including pets), birds, or other infected people.

Q: When was the first outbreak of West Nile virus in New York State?

A: The first confirmed cases appeared in the New York City metropolitan area during the fall of 1999 when 62 people became ill. Seven people died of West Nile virus-related infections during the initial outbreak.

Q: When was West Nile virus identified in Cortland County?

A: On August 22, 2000, the first positive bird was reported from Cortland County.

Frequently Asked Questions About West Nile Virus

General Questions
Questions on Illness
Questions on Birds and Reporting
Questions on Pets (Dogs, Cats, Birds)
Questions on Horses
Questions on Mosquitoes
Questions on Prevention (Mosquitoes, Environment)
Questions on DEET