West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito borne viral disease. WNV occurs throughout the United States and can cause disease in humans, birds and other mammals. Many persons infected with WNV will have no obvious symptoms. In those persons who do develop illness, symptoms of WNV include: headache, high fever, altered mental state, tremors, convulsions and rarely paralysis. WNV can also cause meningitis/encephalitis and can be fatal. West Nile is transmitted to a person through the bite of an infected mosquito.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus. This disease is best prevented by avoiding exposure to mosquitoes.

On this page:

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Resources for Maine Residents

• Arboviruses Fact Sheet (Word*) (PDF*)
• West Nile Virus Q&A
• West Nile Virus Fact sheet (Word*) (PDF*)
• Personal Protection Guide

Resources for Physicians

1. Arboviral Testing Form (Microsoft Word*)
2. HETL directions for Arboviral testing

Other Vector-borne Diseases

• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Dengue
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Lyme Disease
• Malaria
• Powassan
• West Nile Virus

External Links

• Federal CDCWest Nile Virus page