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West Nile Season is Beginning May 1 and Ending November 30, 2009
West Nile Season is Beginning
Jolene Zuros, Registered Sanitarian from the Hancock County Health Department would like for residents of Hancock County to be aware that the dead bird surveillance program for the West Nile Virus begins on May 1, and continues until November 30, 2009. Residents are asked to call the Hancock County Health Department at (304) 564-3343 to report the presence of dead birds. In some cases, the birds will be collected by the Sanitarians from the Hancock County Health Department and sent to the West Virginia State Hygienic Lab in Charleston for testing.
Dead birds may only be sent for testing if they have been dead for less than twenty-four (24) hours and do not show any signs of decay. Bird carcasses that are soft or mushy, have an obvious odor, skin discoloration, feathers or skin that rubs off easily, or have ants or maggots are too decomposed for testing. Dead birds that meet the acceptable physical conditions stated above will be sent to the West Virginia State Hygienic Lab in Charleston for testing. Only if asked to do so by the health department, place one garbage bag iinside another garbage bag, and put the dead bird inside the double plastic bags. Never handle birds without gloves. If you do not have gooves, place a plastic bag over your hand. IF the health department does not need the bird for testing, it can be discarded in the regular trash. Wash your hands with soap and water after discarding your gloves.
West Nile Virus is an Arbovirus that is carried by mosquitoes. It may be spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile Virus cannot be spread from casual human to human contact.Symptoms from the virus include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, confusion, weakness, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck.
Every year, especially during the summer and early fall months, mosquitoes have infected horses and humans. That is the reason it is important for residents to contact the Hancock County Health Department if dead birds are found.
Controlling the mosquito population is the best way to reduce the risk of all diseases carried by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes breed wherever standing water can be found. Mosquitoes need water to breed and survive as they grow from eggs to bloodsucking adults. I encourage residents to find and eliminate mosquito breeding areas around their homes. Residents will make their homes and yards unattractive to mosquitoes by:
* Throwing away old bottles, jars and cans so water can’t collect.
* Emptying water from old tires, buckets, flower pot saucers, toys
cemetery vases...wherever it collects.
* Changing water in wading pools, bird baths, and pet water bowls at least
once a week if not more often.
* Cleaning out rain gutters.
* Filling or draining low spots where water collects temporarily.
* Making sure windows and doors are "bug tight".
* Drilling holes in old tires and other containers so they drain.
* Take advantage of spring clean-up opportunities offered iin the
community to get rid of unwanted, unnecessary items that might
be good places for mosquitoes to breed.
If residents are outside in a high mosquito area especially at dusk, I suggest that they wear socks, shoes, light-colored long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. I also suggest that they use a mosquito repellant containing DEET, piocaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 which are effective: follow package directions carefully when applying these products. Apply the products sparingly to children and wash them with soap and water when they come indoors. Avoid application to the hands and face of young children.
For further information regarding West Nile Virus or any of the programs provided by the Hancock County Health Department, please call (304) 564-3343.
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