West Nile Virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. when a mosquito bites a bird that carries the virus the mosquito becomes infected. It is believed that people cannot get West Nile Virus directly from another person or animal that has the disease. It is believed that this disease in only transmitted by mosquitoes.
Being bitten by an infected mosquito will not necessarily make you sick, since most people who are infected with West Nile Virus either have no symptoms or experience mild illness. If illness were to occur, it would occur within 5 to 15 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito.