West Nile virus confirmed here: Birds, one horse test positive but no humans diagnosed
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Warren County Health Department environmental specialist Donald Page said Tuesday that as of last week, two blue jays and one crow tested positive out of 20 local birds submitted for testing within the last six months. Another crow was reported positive in Warren County after last weeks’ report, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
One area horse was reported as testing positive through a veterinarian, Page also said.
No human cases of the virus have been reported in Warren County.
According to lab confirmation reports for three of the four positive birds, two blue jays were collected near the Centertown area and one crow was collected inside McMinnville city limits in September.
“Basically, the way the system is set up in rural counties, when we get three confirmed positives in either crows or blue jays, and at least two counties surrounding Warren County also have positive results, we cease to collect specimens for lab analysis,” Page said. “Cannon’s had them. Coffee’s had them. White’s had them.”
Carried by birds and mosquitos, with mosquitoes transmitting the virus to humans, transmission is likely to decrease with the change of season, Page said, adding testing for next year when warmer weather returns has not been determined yet.
“The mosquito season is pretty much terminated because the cooler months are coming along and it will be less and less prevalent. As far as testing next summer or next spring when the weather begins to warm again, we aren’t sure whether we’ll start the collection and analysis program over again,” he added.
In cases where mosquitoes are still present or where there are concerns, Page advised eliminating mosquitoes around residences. Experts advise ridding the area of stagnant water, wearing protective clothing and applying insect repellent.
Statewide, 50 human West Nile virus cases were reported out of 219 evaluated – with six deaths. In birds, there were 809 positive reports out of 1,414 submitted as well as 124 positive equine cases out of 313 tested with 36 deaths. Human cases were reported in 10 counties, bird cases in 76 counties and equine cases were reported in 35 counties throughout Tennessee.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 188 human deaths and 3,391 confirmed human cases nationwide.
Humans are infected with the virus after being bitten by a certain species of mosquito that has recently bitten an infected bird. The virus is capable of causing encephalitis or meningitis in less than 1 percent of those infected.
Many have no illness, while some may experience mild symptoms such as fevers, headaches and body aches that last a few days, while others may have a rash or swollen lymph glands.