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Oct. 11, 2000
Vol. 30, No. 319
For more information, contact Melinda Carl or Maria Taylor, DNREC Information
and Education Office, 302-739-4506; or Allison Taylor Levine, Division
of Public Health, 302-739-2005
Public Reminded to Report Dead Crows, Blue Jays, and
Raptors to Mosquito Control for West Nile Virus Surveillance
No detection of West Nile Virus to Date in Delaware
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and
the Division of Public Health remind Delawareans to report dead crows,
blue jays and birds of prey, such as hawks, to DNREC's Mosquito Control
Section (Division of Fish and Wildlife) for potential collection and
transport for testing in the state's West Nile Encephalitis Virus surveillance
program. Any group of five or more dead birds of any other species or
combinations of species should also be reported.
To date, there has been no detection of West Nile Virus in Delaware.
The reminder to the public is issued in light of the recent regional
publicity surrounding the growing incidences of West Nile Virus.
Yesterday, Oct. 10, it was reported that dead birds infected with the
West Nile Virus have been found for the first time in Philadelphia.
The virus has now been detected in dead birds in Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New
Hampshire; in horses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut;
and in humans in New York and New Jersey. The virus is carried by wild
birds and can be transmitted to humans and horses by mosquitoes that
first feed on the infected birds.
Individuals who find dead crows, blue jays or birds of prey are asked
to call DNREC's Mosquito Control Section (Division of Fish and Wildlife),
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (302) 323-4492 for
New Castle County; or (302) 422-1512 for Kent or Sussex counties. During
evening and weekend hours, calls should be made to DNREC's 24-hour emergency
line at 1-800-523-3336 (KentCom). The dead birds should not be handled
without protective gloves and clothing. People cannot catch the West
Nile Virus by handling birds, but dead birds may carry other infectious
diseases.
To help reduce the risk of catching West Nile Virus, Delawareans are
encouraged to eliminate mosquito breeding areas, such as stagnant water
in bird baths, old tires and clogged gutters; wear protective clothing;
use insect repellent; and avoid going out at dusk and dawn. Symptoms
of West Nile Encephalitis include the sudden onset of severe headache,
high fever, stiff neck, confusion, and muscle weakness. Individuals
who suspect that they may have contracted West Nile Encephalitis should
contact their personal physicians immediately.
Delaware's Mosquito Control Section has 10 special West Nile Virus
surveillance stations throughout the state. Those stations are in addition
to 40 other regular mosquito-monitoring stations, including 12 that
are used specifically for West Nile Virus surveillance. The program
began monitoring for West Nile Virus last May and conducted a briefing
on surveillance efforts at DNREC's Dover offices in June. The Department
of Agriculture also is monitoring horses for the virus.
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Document no. 40-01/00/10/03
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