West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that is primarily a disease of birds, but humans and other animals (horses, in particular) can also be infected. First detected in 1999 in New York State, most people infected will have no symptoms and about 20% will experience mild symptoms which include fever, headache and body aches. People over the age of 50 are at higher risk for developing serious diseases such as encephalitis or meningitis. There is no vaccine available, so prevention of mosquito bites and elimination of mosquito breeding areas are important measures to reduce the potential for infection. The EDEN website addresses this health issue: WNV .  The NYS Department of Health provides extensive information on the human aspect of West Nile Virus: Human Health.  Another source for current information is the Cornell University Department of Entomology: Cornell Entomology .

West Nile Virus: Diagnostic Testing for Suspect Clinical Cases College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Animal Health Diagnostic Lab.  Provides information on clinical tests for suspected animal WNV diagnoses.

MMWR Weekly "Update on West Nile Virus, 2006"
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5622a3.htm?s_cid=mm5622a3_e

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides a fact sheet on protecting workers from WNV during disaster recovery efforts.

West Nile Virus Health Risk Facts Cornell Environmental Risk Analysis Program, 2005.