For Immediate Release

May 13, 2008

Contact:            Vicki L. Duey, Four Corners Health Department

                            402-362-2621, toll free 877-337-3573

West Nile Virus – Time to Report Dead Birds to Health Department

As in past summers the Four Corners Health Department, serving Butler, Polk, Seward and York Counties requests assistance from the public to monitor the presence of West Nile Virus.  The health department will begin its surveillance program for West Nile Virus on May 19 by accepting dead birds for testing for the virus.  Contact the Four Corners office by calling 362-2621 or toll free 877-337-3573.

Reports of dead birds of any species will be taken, and certain species will be collected and tested for West Nile virus.  Species that will be collected are blue jays, crows, magpies, owls and hawks.  Testing will only be conducted on birds that are in good condition, with no evidence of decomposition, maggots, odor or rotting.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.  In turn, the mosquito can pass the virus to humans.  Finding the virus in birds gives an indicator to public health officials of the level of the virus in the area and the risk to human beings of contracting the disease. 

Bare hands should not be used in handling dead birds or other animals.  Use a shovel to pick up the bird or reach into a plastic bag and using the bag like a glove, pick up the bird and turn the bag inside out.  The bag can then be tied.   If the bird is not collected by the health department it can be placed in a covered trash receptacle. Thorough hand washing should follow. 

“As we enter into the summer months we encourage the public to start thinking about the upcoming mosquito season” states Vicki Duey of the Four Corners Health Department.  

People can “fight the bite” to reduce their risk of contracting West Nile Virus by:

• Using insect repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535  or oil of lemon eucalyptus;
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors;
• Taking extra precautions when going outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; and
• Removing standing water where mosquitoes breed.