Bird in Logan County tests positive for West Nile virus
The West Nile virus found in a bird in Logan County has health officials advising people to take precautions to stay healthy and safe during the late summer months.
Logan County Department of Public Health officials submitted the bird, a crow, to the Illinois Department of Agriculture laboratory on Aug. 2 for West Nile testing. The test came back positive for a sort of encephalitis caused by the virus. The virus usually spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito.
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According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Logan County is one of 39 across the state reporting West Nile activity, with a batch of mosquitoes also testing positive in Beason on July 18. No human cases have been reported, according to IDPH, but over 1,000 batches of mosquitoes have tested positive statewide, along with seven crows, two bluejays, and three other birds.
Don Cavi, public health administrator for LCDPH, said that while they have found just one bird with West Nile virus, there could be other animals infected, and in other areas.
"Even though there wasn't a bird or crow found in your area that tested positive, it doesn't mean there's no activity," Cavi said.
LCDPH said that with summer-like conditions likely to continue through September, people need to be aware of the risk of the virus and to take steps to keep safe, such as limiting outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long, light-colored clothing and using bug repellant with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 and reporting any dead birds or stagnant water to the county.
Cavi recommends that people repair torn screens or any other openings in their houses to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside. He also urges people to close windows at night and clean out areas where mosquitoes could breed, such as bird baths or old tires.
"Those areas provide breeding areas for mosquitoes, where they can lay their eggs," Cavi said. "Within a week or 10 days or so, those eggs will hatch into mature mosquitoes, so it's important that people eliminate any standing water from their property.
While LCDPH says that people bitten by a mosquito have no need for West Nile testing, they should contact their doctor if they experience symptoms of high fever, muscle weakness, confusion, or severe headache. Cavi said that while anyone is at risk for West Nile, the most vulnerable include people over the age of 65 (and) those with immune system issues.
"Those people need to be very cautious about it," Cavi said. "I just want to point out that anyone is at risk of West Nile and as long as we have warm weather, those mosquitoes will remain active. Once we have a couple of good, hard frosts, that will take care of it."
For more information on West Nile, contact LCDPH at (217) 735-2317 or visit the website at lcdph.org.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: West Nile virus discovered in Logan County bird
