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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, August 1, 2008
Contact:
Sammy
Berg, Environmental Health Specialist, 360-786-5581 X-17051
Thurston
County
Resumes
West Nile
Virus Bird Monitoring
OLYMPIA
– Officials
with the Thurston County Health Department have resumed testing of dead birds
to analyze whether
West Nile
virus has returned to the area.
West Nile
virus is primarily a
bird infection and can kill them. Mosquitoes
transmit the virus from bird to bird but sometimes bite humans or horses and
infect them as well. Last year several horses were stricken with the illness
in the
Yakima
area. This year two horses have been found infected with West Nile Virus in
Yakima
and Grant counties,
Most people who become infected with the virus will
show no symptoms at all. However,
the illness may result in fever, headache, tiredness, body aches and sometimes
a rash. Although the illness can be as short as a few days, even healthy
people have been sick for several weeks. About
1 in 150 people infected with
West Nile
virus can experience a more severe type of disease affecting a person’s
nervous system and it may lead to more serious complications including death
in certain cases. Those
most at risk for serious illness include the young, those with immune system
challenges and those over 50 years of age.
Dozens of suspected dead birds were
collected in
Thurston
County
in 2007 but tests showed none of the birds were infected. A
similar program is underway this year and one bird sample has already been
sent to a lab at
Washington
State
University
for testing. Sammy Berg of the Thurston County Public Health and Social
Services Department says county residents can help with bird monitoring
efforts. “If you see a dead
bird, please leave that information on our Dead Bird Reporting line at (360)
754-3355 ext. 6659. We especially
want to hear about dead crows and jays. When reporting let us know the
location where the bird was found, the species of the bird, and the number of
the birds observed. Also leave
your name and a telephone number if we need to obtain additional information
from you.” Berg says folks
should NOT call if it is obvious that the bird died from some trauma or if the
bird has been dead for a long time.
People should also take some precautions to avoid
contracting
West Nile
virus. Steps include-
§
Wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants while
outside.
§
Avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present.
§
Using a “DEET” based or other appropriate insect
repellent when contact with mosquitoes is unavoidable. (Be careful to follow
label directions.)
§
Limiting outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when
mosquitoes are more active.
§
Repairing and using window and door screens.
Homeowners can also take steps to
reduce mosquito habitat around the home through activities such as cleaning
standing water out of their rain gutters, removing used tires or open
containers outside where water collects in them and by cleaning out bird baths
once a week.
Those who want more information on
West Nile virus and bird reporting can visit the
Thurston
County
website- Thurston County Public Health and Social Services http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehwnv/index.html
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