The East Central District Health Department (ECDHD) in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will be collecting dead birds to help detect the onset of West Nile Virus activity in its district, as well as trapping mosquitoes for West Nile Virus testing, released information from the department says.
The collection and laboratory testing of dead birds and mosquitoes helps the public health system determine how widespread the virus is in communities encompassing the ECDHD. The public plays an important role in monitoring West Nile Virus through the reporting of dead birds which may be evaluated for WNV testing. Only the Corvid species of birds -- Blue Jays, Crows, Magpies, etc. -- will be tested this year. ECDHD is looking for birds that are not damaged or decayed and dead less than 24 hours.
The arrival of warm weather heralds the onset of mosquito season and the threat of West Nile Virus (WNV). West Nile Virus is not spread from person to person but by infected mosquitoes. West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999. Since then, approximately 46,086 human cases have been reported, causing approximately 2,017 deaths in the United States, information from the Centers for Disease control says.
People are also reading…
West Nile virus first appeared in Nebraska in 2002, and since that time the state has seen cases every year with a total of 3,795 reported cases and 70 deaths. In 2017, there were 68 human cases of West Nile Virus and 2 deaths in Nebraska.
This year, ECDHD will also collect mosquitoes one night every two weeks. Traps will be set out at Quail Run Golf Course, Elks Country Club Golf Course, the Bark Park, West Pawnee Park and East Pawnee Park. The department is asking the public to not disturb the traps to ensure the proper collection of mosquitos.
The greatest risk for infection is during late summer and early fall because the mosquitoes that transmit the virus increase in numbers during the summer. While West Nile Virus can be fatal, most people who are infected by a mosquito have no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptom, released information says.
Less than one out of 150 people who get bitten by an infected mosquito and become infected will get seriously ill. However, people over the age of 60 and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease and are more likely to experience serious consequences, released information says. Those seriously infected, particularly the elderly, display symptoms such as high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation and seizures.
To avoid mosquito bites the ECDHD recommends the following:
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and socks at dusk and dawn when the mosquitoes are most active.
• Eliminate standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
ECDHD is now collecting birds, and those wishing to report a dead or dying bird should call Jamie Rodriguez at ECDHD at 402-563-9656 ext. 265.