WEST NILE VIRUS SEASON IS HERE -- WHAT TO BE ALERT FOR

West Nile Virus season is upon us. The state will be accepting birds for testing on April 15th and will determine an end date based on how the season progresses. After this date, the County will continue to accept reports of dead or ill birds until October 31st. Crows and Blue Jays are accepted for testing if it is not visibly decayed (not dead more than 24 hours) also if it is not infested with maggots, waterlogged, hit by a car or eaten by scavengers. Specimens are typically picked-up the same day as the call on a non-emergency basis. Residents are advised to place a bucket over the specimen to protect it from elements and insects. Also, storing the specimen on ice or in refrigeration until pick-up is acceptable, however, please be advised to wear plastic gloves while handling birds and place it in a watertight plastic bag. Specimens soaking in melted ice are not acceptable. To report a Crow or Blue Jay call 645-5971, ext. 4277 or ext. 4367 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Evenings, weekends or holidays please call the county Sheriff Dispatcher 641-0111.

The West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 and has since rapidly spread across the North Americcan continent into all 48 continental states, seven Canadian provinces, and throughout Mexico. In addition, WNV activity has been detected in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guadeloupe and El Salvador.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 15,000 people in the U.S. have tested positive for WNV infection since 1999, including over 500 deaths. Many more people have likely been infected with WNV, but have experienced mild or no symptoms.

Statistically, a person's risk of contracting West Nile is low, and less than 1% of those infected develop serious illness from the virus. Those at highest risk for serious illness are the elderly and those with lowered immune systems. However, people of all ages can develop serious illness, so it is important for everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites to minimize the risk of infection.

West Nile virus (WNV) is maintained in the environment in a bird-mosquito life cycle. For reasons still unknown, American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and other corvids (e.g., blue jays) seem more susceptible to fatal infection. This has allowed many local health departments to utilize dead birds as an indicator of the virus’ emergence (or re-emergence) in their jurisdictions. (Below is a map of the level of infestation in the U.S.)