West Nile Virus is a potentially serious illness transmitted from birds to the mosquitoes that bite them and then from the mosquito to humans, birds or other animals.

While 80% of the people infected with West Nile Virus show no symptoms at all, severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

The best defense against West Nile Virus is to avoid physical contact with mosquitoes and dead birds. When dealing with West Nile virus, prevention is your best bet. Fighting mosquito bites reduces your risk of getting this disease, along with others that mosquitoes can carry.

Take the commonsense steps below to reduce your risk:

• Avoid bites and illness.
• Clean out the mosquitoes from the places where you work, live and play.
• Help your community control the disease by reporting mosquito breeding activity.
• Help your community track the disease by reporting dead birds.

Additional Resources

The Centers for Disease Control Website

CDC Quick Reference Flyer

Controlling Mosquitos in Ornamental Ponds

Disposal of Dead Birds