The World

Robins and West Nile Virus

The primary hosts for the West Nile Virus are not people; they’re birds. Now, scientists are looking at the role the American Robin plays in spreading the virus.

In the last ten years, the West Nile Virus has become the most commonly contracted, mosquito-transmitted virus in the Western Hemisphere. Scientists are trying to figure out how and why the infection has spread so quickly. In Connecticut, researchers discovered that the American Robin is the primary host. Producer Laurie Sanders went out with a group of scientists who are counting robins and trapping mosquitoes to find out more about West Nile.