West Nile Virus Found in NC Crows, Horses

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The State Public Health Laboratory Tuesday reported that five new cases of West Nile virus have been found in North Carolina. The cases include two crows in Currituck County, one crow in Mecklenburg County, one horse in Hyde County, and one horse in Camden County.

Earlier findings of West Nile virus in the state this year include a blue jay found in Cabarrus County and a crow found in Camden County, both reported in September.

When West Nile virus was first detected in the state on September 17, acting State Health Director Leah Devlin issued a Public Health Warning advising residents to be diligent in protecting themselves against mosquito bites. This warning remains in effect.

West Nile encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by West Nile virus, a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. The virus multiplies in the person's blood system and crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. Symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. There is no vaccine against West Nile encephalitis. Tips For Avoiding The Virus: Avoid excess exposure to mosquitoes. Wear long sleeves and pants to avoid exposing skin. Use mosquito repellant with DEET. Stay indoors when possible. Check containers and eliminate standing water in yards. You can find more information at the Centers for Disease Control.

"It's important that everyone keep the health risks associated with West Nile Virus in perspective," Dr. Devlin said. "In most cases West Nile Virus is a mild disease. We now know that many people in the northeast were exposed to the virus and didn't even know it. That's because most people who are exposed to the virus never become sick. And while it is prudent to reduce everyone's exposure to mosquito bites, the biggest focus needs to be on protecting the elderly from exposure."

West Nile Virus may cause flu-like symptoms in humans, such as headache, swollen glands, and muscle aches, as well as a rash. Usually West Nile Virus only causes mild disease in humans, but the virus may occasionally cause encephalitis, meningitis, and even death. Elderly people are most likely to be severely affected by West Nile Virus.

State mosquito control experts recommend avoiding mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and long pants and using a repellent containing low concentrations of DEET (30%-35%). Children should use 10 percent concentrations of DEET and children under five should not use DEET. Outdoor activities in the evening, when mosquitoes are most active, should be avoided, as should areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes. People should check around their homes and empty any containers holding water such as tires, birdbaths, and flowerpots. Screens should be used on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.

In addition to protecting themselves from mosquito bites, North Carolina residents can help reduce the health risk from West Nile virus by reporting dead or dying birds to public health officials. The three kinds of birds that are of particular concern are crows, blue jays, and hawks, but residents should report any bird behaving strangely. Birds reported should be no more than 48 hours dead. Residents are encouraged to report birds to their local health departments. Birds can also be reported to the Public Health Pest Management Section at 1-877-790-1747 or via e-mail at NCWNV@NCmail.net. More information on reporting birds and an online form for reporting dead birds is also available by clicking here.

West Nile Virus was first detected in North Carolina last year in a dead crow found at Jordan Lake State Park in Chatham County by a conservation biologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is important to remember that the virus is transmitted to humans when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a human. It is not known to pass directly from birds to humans or from human to human.

West Nile Virus originates from Africa, west Asia, and Europe. It was first found in the United States in the summer of 1999 in New York City. Since then West Nile Virus has spread down the eastern seaboard of the United States and to Midwestern and Gulf states. With the addition of North Carolina, 20 states and the District of Columbia have now reported evidence of the virus. The other states are Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

Any decision to spray for mosquitoes will be made by local health officials based upon a number of factors including whether the area of concern is densely populated and weather patterns. Experts with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Public Health Pest Management Section will collect and test mosquitoes and wild birds in the area to look for further evidence of the virus. Surveillance for the presence of West Nile Virus in the rest of the state through mosquito and dead bird collection and testing will continue.