DEAD BIRD SURVEILLANCE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS - More Positive Birds, No Reports of Actual Disease In State

(08/21/2002)

A positive result on a Kanawha county bird has raised the number to five West Virginia counties where the West Nile Virus has been found. The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is continuing the dead bird surveillance program in all of its six counties, according to Marlan Zwoll, Calhoun Sanitarian. One or more dead birds from Calhoun and most surrounding counties have been sent away. Zwoll said it is important to remember the transmission of the disease is by mosquito bite, not from dead birds or animals. Positive results from the submission of dead birds will continue to validate the existence of the disease in the area, although no cases have yet been reported in West Virginia Standing water in pet bowls, rain barrels, pots, cans, ditches and ponds, are breeding places for mosquitos, and should be eliminated where possible. Elimination of standing water is "Not high-tech procedures, but they can be very effective," said Zwoll. The disease will be temporarily halted when cold weather comes and mosquitos die. Reporting dead birds, or clusters of dead birds, or other information regarding the West Nile Virus, call Marlan Zwoll at 354-6101.

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