The Clay County Health Department has been informed that a bird specimen collected in Flora on June 10th has tested positive for West Nile virus after being submitted for testing at the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
The confirmation of a West Nile virus positive bird specimen indicates that the virus is actively circulating in the community, raising the risk of infection for humans. Typically, the virus emerges in Illinois bird and mosquito populations two to six weeks before being transmitted to humans.
While there is no evidence of individuals contracting the virus from handling live or dead infected birds, mosquitoes acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds and can pass it on to humans through bites. To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to follow the three R’s – reduce exposure to mosquitoes, repel them with insect repellent, and report areas where mosquitoes breed.
Although most individuals infected with West Nile virus may not show symptoms, some may experience fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches, with symptoms lasting from a few days to a few weeks. In rare instances, severe illness such as meningitis, encephalitis, or even death can occur, particularly among individuals over 50 years old.
Monitoring bird and mosquito populations in the community assists in predicting when humans are at risk of West Nile Virus infection. Surveillance efforts in Clay County involve testing mosquito batches, addressing potential mosquito breeding sites, and testing dead crows, blue jays, robins, and other perching birds. Deceased birds must show no signs of injury or advanced decomposition and should have died within 48 hours prior to collection. Reports of dead birds will be assessed, and specimens will be considered for testing until October 15, 2024.
For more information on West Nile virus, please contact the Clay County Health Department at 662-4406 or visit www.healthdept.org.
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