Randy Cube Rat
Joined: 18 Dec 2001 Posts: 2910 | TRs | Pics Location: Near the Siamangs |
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Randy
Cube Rat
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Thu Oct 24, 2002 3:39 pm
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It will be interesting for those of us who frequent the mountains to see how this develops next spring and summer.
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West Nile Virus Detected In Snohomish Bird
October 24, 2002
By KOMO Staff & News Services
SNOHOMISH COUNTY - A dead crow found in Snohomish County has tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to local health officials.
The bird was collected near the town of Snohomish and brought to Snohomish Health District Oct. 7. Birds are sent for virus testing to the USGS National Wildlife Center Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin.
Crows, jays and ravens are among the first birds to become infected and die of the virus. The Health District has submitted a total of nine birds to the Wisconsin lab for testing since mid-April. Statewide, about 160 birds have been collected and tested through the Washington Department of Health WNV surveillance program.
"The chance of human infection is very low --- less than one percent of people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will become severely ill," said Dr. M. Ward Hinds, head of the county’s health department. "We knew that West Nile Virus would arrive in western Washington, it was only a matter of when," he said.
This is the second detection of the mosquito-borne virus in a bird collected in Washington state. The first was in a raven found dead near Newport in eastern Washington in mid-September. To date, two human cases of viral infection have been reported in Washington. Both people acquired the infection in other states, and neither individual developed a serious illness.
"Fortunately the risk of mosquito bites drops when the first frost arrives," said Dr. Hinds. He said the health district already is planning surveillance activities for next spring’s mosquito season. The plan includes a strong educational message to county residents about ways to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
Recommended precautions include using DEET mosquito repellents, and getting rid of old tires and other containers where mosquitoes could lay eggs in accumulated water.
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