For Release July 18, 2004

West Nile Virus

AGRI-VIEWS
by Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent

When the rains started a month ago, we all knew that mosquitoes would follow. And of course, now days that means West Nile Virus probably won't be too far behind. So it's no surprise that by late June a dead Blue Jay in Sedgwick county tested positive for West Nile Virus. I have already received several phone calls in my office regarding dead birds that homeowners are finding in their yards. These homeowners were either concerned about their own safety or wanting to see if the bird needed to be tested.

It may seem unnecessary to test dead birds for West Nile Virus. After all, the disease arrived in 2002 and by the end of last year it had been reported from all 105 Kansas counties. However, there is still much to learned about how the virus is going to act year in and year out and if there is more or less of it showing up. So again this year, the state of Kansas has a protocol set up for a dead bird surveillance program.

The only species that the state will accept for testing are: blue jays, magpies, crows, hawks, owls and eagles. If you find any other species that is dead either let it lie for the scavengers, or grab it with one plastic bag, wrap it in a second plastic bag and throw it in the trash. The bird needs to be dead less than 24 hours. It needs to be free from apparent other causes of death. If it is obvious that a predator killed the bird or that it was hit by a vehicle or flew into a window, just discard it.

Before you pick the bird up and deposit it in your freezer, call the West Nile Virus toll free hotline at 1-877-228-2287. A recorded message will ask for your contact information and then someone will call you back fairly soon ask you some questions. If you receive confirmation that they want the bird for testing you will be instructed how to pack it up and transport it to the Extension Office. DO NOT bring any dead birds to the Extension Office unless you are instructed to do so by the folks at the hotline!

Once two positive cases of West Nile Virus are confirmed for a county, the diagnostic lab will not accept any more specimens from that county. The positive cases can be any combination of birds, horses or humans. If I find out that we've had two positive cases from Geary County, I will let you all know.

If you do send in a dead bird, you will not be notified with the results of the testing, nor will the Extension Office receive a report. The diagnostic lab only informs the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Probably the best way to track what is going on is to visit the Kansas West Nile Virus web page at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/westnilevirus/ to monitor results and view maps of activity in Kansas. This web page has a lot of information on West Nile Virus and mosquitoes.

While West Nile Virus can be very devastating and rarely fatal disease. But it is important to keep in mind that most people who have been or will be exposed to the virus will suffer no, or only minor, ill effects. Monitor your own property to reduce mosquito breeding locations. Protect yourself from mosquito bites with repellents, clothing or activity adjustments. And continue to enjoy the great outdoors!

-30-

Return to Agri-Views Home Page

Return to Ag Home Page