Yikes! West Nile Virus Infected Bird Found in Weaverville Area

Trinity CountyPress release provided by Trinity County Department of Health and Human Services:

Trinity County Health and Human Services, Public Health Department has received its first confirmed report of a West Nile Virus infected bird. The bird was found in the Weaverville area and the specimen was tested at the California Department of Health Services Lab. As of August 5, 2015 West Nile Virus (WNV) activity has been detected in 36 of 58 counties in California.

There have been no confirmed human cases of WNV in Trinity County. Most individuals who are infected with WNV will not experience any illness. Others may have mild to moderate symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, and rash, headache, and body aches. Symptoms of West Nile neuro-invasive disease may include the above symptoms plus neck pain or stiffness, difficulty concentrating, vomiting, diarrhea, and sensitivity to light and weakness. The elderly and those with lowered immune systems are more susceptible to serious illness. Individuals who are ill should consult their health care provider.

    • Individuals can reduce their risk of mosquito-borne diseases by taking these precautions.
    • Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, especially at dawn or dusk.
    • When outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts
    • Apply insect repellent according to label instructions
    • Make sure that all doors and windows have tight-fitting screens
    • Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes
    • Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can support mosquito breeding

The public can assist in the extensive efforts to detect and monitor WNV by calling the WNV hotline if they find a crow, raven, magpie, jay, sparrow, finch, or hawk that has been dead for no more than 24 hours.

Birds play an important role in maintaining and spreading this virus. Mosquitoes acquire the virus from infected birds, and then transmit the virus to people. Evidence of the virus in dead birds is often the first indication that WNV has been introduced into a new region. Report dead birds to California Department of Health Services’ toll-free hotline: 1-877-WNV-BIRD or 1-877-968-2473 or the local Environmental Health Department at (530) 623-1459. More information on WNV can also be found at www.westnile.ca.gov. If your local business or organization would like a free supply of WNV prevention brochures please contact Trinity County Health & Human Services Public Health Department at (530) 623-8209.

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tell state to test year round
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tell state to test year round
8 years ago

It would be great if they tested birds based on weather rather than calendar date. As I understand it they begin testing in May or June when our weather normally warms up and that warmth is when wnv can start.
I found a dead raven near westhaven earlier in the year, I think in March, when we were having warm weather on the coast.
It took about an hour making multiple calls to find out how to get the bird tested. It looked healthy and had no obvious sign of death. The local folks arent able to test birds unless state folks tell them to, and the state wnv program wasnt being staffed due to their rules based on date. So basically there was no where to get it tested. I would have paid to have it sent somewhere & tested if I could have.

Just to let you all know that the state is NOT on top of this testing at all. I studied wildlife bio and was taught to always have a dead raven in good condition checked for wnv so I was disappointed but not surprised at the states non-follow thru on this.

LAZY SKUNK RANCH
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LAZY SKUNK RANCH
8 years ago

Lawyers and courthouses spread disease, it’s why it hasn’t shown up in the rest of the county.