West Nile Virus confirmed in two birds found in county
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According to the department’s Upper Cumberland regional office in Cookeville, a dead crow collected Aug. 15, and a dead blue jay collected Aug. 1, have tested positive for the virus.
Local health department environmental specialist Donald Page said the fact that two birds have been found to have the disease is nothing out of the ordinary for this part of the state.
“People certainly need to know West Nile Virus is here, that it’s present in the community, but it’s nothing to be overly concerned about. We just ask people be aware of it and take certain precautions,” Page said.
A mosquito-borne virus, West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans from infected birds via the insects. Health officials monitor the spread of the virus by collecting and testing dead crows and blue jays, which are particularly susceptible to infection.
While the virus can cause illness in humans, the risk of infection is very low. So far this year, no human cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Warren County. Most individuals who do get infected have either no symptoms or very mild symptoms consistent with the flu.
However, health officials say, on rare occasions the virus can result in severe and fatal illness. Individuals over 50, or people with compromised immune systems, are at a higher risk of developing life-threatening complications.
West Nile symptoms
Most people infected with the West Nile virus will not have any type of illness.
Mild symptoms include: fever, headache, body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands.
Severe symptoms include: headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.
The most effective way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to minimize the risk of exposure to infected mosquitoes. The Tennessee Department of Health recommends the following precautions:
• Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET. For children use a maximum of 10 percent DEET.
• If possible, limit outdoor activity between dusk and dawn as these are the greatest times of mosquito activity.
• If outside in an area where mosquitoes are prevalent, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by emptying receptacles that collect stagnant water around the house.
• Keep windows and doors closed or cover them with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering residential areas.
The Tennessee Department of Health continues to test for the presence of West Nile Virus. If you have a freshly dead crow or blue jay you would like tested, contact the Warren County Health Department at 473-8468.