What is a significant risk for hawks regarding the West Nile virus?

The significant risk for hawks regarding the West Nile virus is that a single bite can be fatal. West Nile virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, and once a hawk contracts the virus, it can lead to severe neurological symptoms and death. Raptors, including hawks, are susceptible to the complications of the virus, which can severely affect their ability to hunt and survive in the wild. The fatality rate in infected birds can be high, particularly in species that are more vulnerable to the virus’s effects.

The other options, while they might suggest certain health issues related to other diseases or conditions, do not reflect the specific and direct danger that West Nile virus poses to hawks. The focus on the fatality associated with the virus underscores the importance of monitoring and protecting birds of prey from mosquito-borne illnesses, which can have devastating consequences for their populations.