Birds Protect Us from West Nile Virus

Medical records show that cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infections are far less likely to occur in settled areas that have a wide variety of bird species living inside. Scientists believe that this happens because birds are poor viral carriers altogether.

In other words, mosquitoes are far less likely to bite birds, as they can't fly so high as to reach them. On the other hand, birds can easily hunt and decimate mosquito populations, reducing the risk of infect... (read more) Read »