it is important to note that the west nile virus is not contagious. it cannot be transmitted from person to person. a person cannot get the virus for example from touching or kissing a person who has the disease or from a health-care worker who has treated someone with the disease. humans are called a dead-end host for the virus meaning one that can be infected but whose immune system usually prevents the virus from multiplying enough to be passed back to mosquitoes and then to other hosts. there also is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. however avoiding skin contact when handling dead animals including dead birds is recommended. gloves or double plastic bags should be used to remove and dispose of carcasses.
can one person contract the virus from another?