West Nile Encephalitis is a virus transmitted by the mosquito after biting an infected bird. The virus then multiplies within the mosquito. When the infected mosquito bites a human it then transmits the disease. Most healthy people do not get sick at all, others get a mild illness consisting of fever, body aches, and headache. In some people, particularly the elderly the virus can cause serious disease affecting the brain with rapid onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck and loss of consciousness 5-15 days after being bitten.
   " The Center for Disease Contol and Prevention has confirmed the first known case of interuterine transmission of the West Nile Virus... The baby has severe cerebral abnormalities that probably result (from) the infection, according to the CDC report" (Nursing 2003, Vol 33 Number 3 page 34)

To protect yourself from West Nile Virus