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Fond du Lac County Health Department testing dead birds for West Nile Virus

Special to Action Publications
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
West Nile virus has been confirmed in Fond du Lac County. The disease is typically spread through mosquitoes.

FOND DU LAC - West Nile Virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds.

Eighty percent of people who are infected with West Nile Virus do not get sick. Those who do become ill usually experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache or rash. Less than 1 percent of people infected with the virus get seriously ill.

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The Fond du Lac County Health Department recommends the following:

  • Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active;
  • Wear light-colored clothing and long pants, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, and tuck pants in socks when outdoors;
  • When outdoors, use an effective mosquito repellant containing an active ingredient, such as DEET;
  • Eliminate containers, old tires and other means of collecting water from yards in order to reduce breeding of mosquitoes.

Health officials monitor for West Nile virus to identify when virus is an area/county.

  • West Nile surveillance activities are available all year-round. Collection and testing of WNV in wild dead birds began statewide on May 1.
  • Because the virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes in nature, we monitor birds for WNV as an early warning detection system. Humans are “incidental” hosts who can become sick when bitten by an infected mosquito. State health officials and local health departments use this information to alert citizens to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to enhance environmental control to reduce mosquitoes.
  • People can help by reporting dead birds to the Fond du Lac County Health Department at 920-929-3085 to determine if the bird (specifically crows, ravens and blue jays) meets the criteria for testing. Following this, people will be given further direction on how to proceed. Please remember to wear protective gloves when handling the bird.

For more information, contact Kim Mueller at 920-929-3085 and Kim.Mueller@fdlco.wi.gov

Information submitted by the Fond du Lac County Health Department.

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