A member asked:

I have west nile virus, have i transmit the disease directly to my family members?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

No, but ...: West nile virus is transmitted by mosquito bites. The mosquito injects the virus into the human or animal. There have not been cases of animal-to-human or human-to-human direct spread of the disease. That's the good news. However, there was one reported case of transmission from a mother to her baby through the placenta, and also one case of transmission to a child by breast-feeding.

Answered 7/20/2012

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Dr. Keith Ramsey answered

Specializes in Pediatrics - Adolescent Medicine

No: Humans are "dead-end hosts" that means you can only transmit wnv to others through blood transfusions and organ donations.

Answered 9/13/2013

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