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The West Nile Virus is one of a group of disease-causing viruses called flaviviruses, which are spread by insects, usually mosquitoes. Other flaviviruses include yellow fever, dengue, and St. Louis encephalitis viruses. The West Nile virus primarily circulates between infected birds and mosquitoes that bite them. Only female mosquitoes bite and feed on blood; males feed on nectar. The infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus when they bite other animals or people. More than 130 species of birds have been reported to be infected with the West Nile virus, according to the CDC. The virus also can infect horses and some other animals. Even where the West Nile virus is circulating, not all mosquitoes become infected with it, and human infection does not occur in all individuals exposed to mosquitoes. Below is from the CDC: Family: Flaviviridae |
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