What animals can be infected with West Nile virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) primarily affects birds, but can also be infect bats, horses, cats, dogs, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic rabbits, alligators and humans. How can my animal get West Nile fever? WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito (vector).
Can cats get EEE from mosquito bites?
How do dogs or cats become infected with WNV/EEE? Dogs and cats become infected the same way humans become infected: by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is also evidence that cats can become infected with the virus after eating experimentally infected mice.
What are symptoms of West Nile virus in animals?
The virus then multiplies and may cause clinical signs in a susceptible animal. Most infections are inapparent or mild. If your pet shows signs of fever, depression, incoordination, muscle weakness or spasms, seizures or paralysis, see your veterinarian.
Can cats get triple E?
Can West Nile virus (WNV) or eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus cause illness in dogs or cats? Yes, but these infections are very rare. WNV infection has occasionally been identified in dogs and cats. Most cats or dogs infected with these viruses fully recover from the infection.
Can cats get diseases from mosquitoes?
Dogs and cats are susceptible to mosquito bites just like humans. Mosquitoes can carry diseases unique to pets, especially heartworms.
Can animals get EEE?
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with EEE virus (EEEV). EEEV can also infect a wide range of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
How does the West Nile virus affect humans?
Humans get West Nile from the bite of an infected mosquito. Usually, the West Nile virus causes mild, flu-like symptoms. The virus can cause life-threatening illnesses, such as encephalitis, meningitis, or meningoencephalitis. There is no vaccine available to prevent West Nile virus.
What is the treatment for West Nile virus?
No vaccine or specific medicines are available for West Nile virus infection. In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.
What species does EEE affect?
EEE and Animals: Birds, Mosquitoes, Horses, Humans and More As suggested by its name, EEEV can infect horses, causing fever, behavioral changes and other symptoms of encephalitis. Infection is often deadly for the horse.
Can pets get EEE?
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus can cause illness in dogs or cats, however infection is quite rare11. Most pets that do become infected with EEE, or even West Nile virus, fully recover from infection.
Is it possible to get West Nile virus in a dog?
WNV and EEE in Animals. Public health fact sheet on West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) viruses in animals. Yes, but these infections are very rare. WNV infection has occasionally been identified in dogs and cats. Most cats or dogs infected with these viruses fully recover from the infection.
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus in cats?
Clinical pictures and mortality is rarely reported in cats. Experimentally infected cats show mild, nonspecific signs including lethargy and loss of appetite. If a cat is suspected of clinical signs due to an acute West Nile virus infection, symptomatic treatment is indicated.
How does West Nile virus cause encephalitis?
West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird. No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces.
Is there a cure for West Nile virus in horses?
Treatment and prevention. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. In case a cat is suspected of clinical signs due to an acute West Nile virus infection, symptomatic treatment is indicated. For protection against WNV infection in horses, several vaccines are available.
Can a cat be infected with West Nile virus?
Cats experimentally infected with WNV showed mild, nonspecific signs of disease, including lethargy, decreased appetite and fever. Compared with dogs in the study, cats had a higher virus concentration in their blood, which may be enough to infect mosquitoes but not as effectively as infected birds could.
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?
West Nile encephalitis is a form of West Nile virus that affects the neurological system. Signs and symptoms may include headache, fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, or coma. West Nile virus is generally spread to humans by infected mosquitos.
Who is most at risk for West Nile encephalitis?
Although West Nile encephalitis can affect anyone, people who are over age 60, have received an organ transplant, or are affected by certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease have the highest risk of developing the condition.
Can a dog be infected with the EEE virus?
Most cats or dogs infected with these viruses fully recover from the infection. A few cases of EEE have been found in very young dogs housed exclusively outdoors in the southeastern part of the United States. What other domestic animals have been found to be infected with West Nile or EEE virus?