WEST NILE FOUND IN MORE BIRDS - Tyler Man Says Mosquito Breeding Act Of God

(08/17/2004)
Birds with West Nile Virus have been detected in Wood County twice this past week, after one other bird was identified earlier with the disease.

Williamstown homeowner Leonard Rabatin found a Grackle, which looks like a black bird with a purple head. It was falling over and foaming at the mouth near his home.

Steve Bayer with the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department confirms the bird was infected with West Nile Virus.

A sparrow with the virus was also found last week in Parkersburg.

Earlier this month a blue jay found in Mineral Wells had a confirmed case of West Nile.

Meanwhile, a Tyler County landowner accused of providing mosquito breeding grounds on his property has filed a counterclaim against the Wetzel-Tyler County Health Department.

Delbert Doak of Middlebourne says in the suit that the breeding of mosquitoes and "other natural vermin" is an act of God.

He faces a hearing in September in Tyler Circuit Court on charges he didn't clean up three of his properties.

The Wetzel-Tyler County Health Department say four species of mosquitoes were found breeding in standing water in old tires, machinery and vehicle parts on Doak's land.