West Nile Virus dangerous to pets Canada West Nile Virus has been found in the eastern US and in Manitoba, Canada. Dogs and cats can get it too. Like humans and horses, "dogs and cats are  considered "dead-end hosts". They'll get sick with an encephalitis-type illness, but can't transfer it to anyone else. In Africa, where the virus originated, there has been at least one case of a dog dying from West Nile Virus.  In North America, a number of dogs have tested positive for the virus, but none became sick. It was also found in one cat."  While infection is rare, limiting exposure to mosquitoes is recommended... [CBC Manitoba]