About West Nile
Virus
Transmission of West Nile Virus
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Prevention of West Nile Virus
Testing and Treating West Nile Virus
in Humans
West
Nile Virus and Birds
West Nile Virus and Dogs and Cats
West Nile Virus and Horses
Map of Progression of West Nile Virus Across
the United States
What You Can do to Eliminate Mosquitoes
West Nile
Virus and Dogs and Cats
Q. Can West Nile Virus cause
illness in dogs
or cats?
A. There is a published report of
West Nile Virus
isolated from a dog in
southern Africa (Botswana)
in 1982. West
Nile Virus has been isolated from
several
dead cats in 1999 and 2000. A serosurvey
of dogs and cats in the epidemic area
showed a
low infection rate.
Q. Can infected dogs or cats be
carriers (i.e.,
reservoirs) for West Nile
Virus and transmit
the virus to humans?
A. West Nile Virus is transmitted
by infectious
mosquitoes. There is no
documented evidence of person-to-person,
animal-to-animal, or animal-to-person
transmission of West Nile Virus.
Veterinarians should take normal infection
control precautions when caring for an
animal suspected to have this or any viral
infection.
Q. How do dogs or cats become
infected with West Nile Virus?
A. The same way humans become
infected — by the bite of infectious
mosquitoes. The virus is located in the
mosquito's salivary glands. During blood
feeding, the virus then multiplies and may
cause illness. Mosquitoes become infected
when they feed on infected birds, which
may circulate the virus in their blood for
a few days. It is possible that dogs and
cats could become infected by eating dead
infected animals such as birds, but this
is unproven.
Q. Can a dog or cat infected
with West Nile Virus infect other dogs or
cats?
A. No. there is no documented
evidence that West Nile Virus is
transmitted from animal to animal.
Q. How long can a dog or cat be
infected with West Nile Virus?
A. The answer is not known at
this time.
Q. Should a dog or cat infected
with West Nile Virus be destroyed? What is
the treatment for an animal infected with
West Nile Virus?
A. No. There is no reason to
destroy an animal just because it has been
infected with West Nile Virus. Full
recovery from the infection is likely.
Treatment would be supportive and
consistent with standard veterinary
practices for animals infected with a
viral agent.
(Information on this
page obtained from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention)
For West Nile Virus
information updates call toll free:
877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-273)
WestNile.ca.gov
Centers for Disease Control information on
West Nile Virus
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