KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Hot weather means more mosquitoes, and with more mosquitoes comes an increased risk of West Nile virus. While King County has not had a documented case of locally-contracted West Nile virus since the outbreak began nationally in 1999, the virus has been found in neighboring counties. Beginning this week, Public Health will begin testing a portion of the dead birds reported in an effort to document the virus within county borders.
Report dead birds
- Public Health is requesting that dead birds be reported to its Environmental Health Division at 206-205-4394 or online at www.metrokc.gov/health/westnile/deadbird.htm
- All dead birds will be tracked in Public Health’s database and locations mapped. A spike in bird deaths may indicate that West Nile virus has arrived, and possibly the areas of the county where the virus is circulating.
- Only a fraction of dead birds will be tested for West Nile virus, due to resource limitations at Public Health and at laboratory facilities. Far more birds will be reported than can be tested.
- To be tested, the bird must be freshly dead, with no injuries. Crows, jays, owls and hawks have priority because these birds are very likely to die if they become infected with the virus. Birds are also selected based on where they were found so that many different areas of the county are covered.
“West Nile virus is primarily a bird disease that can sometimes infect people, so testing birds may give us advance warning that the virus is in our county,” said Dr. Sharon Hopkins, Public Health veterinarian for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Most people who get West Nile virus show no signs of illness, however some people, especially the elderly, can become seriously ill or even die.”
This year, the City of Seattle is helping Public Health with dead bird collection in the City. "We're glad to partner with Public Health to ensure Seattle gets as much early warning as possible in the unfortunate event West Nile Virus is found in our city," said Sheila Strehle, City of Seattle West Nile Virus program coordinator. "We're working to reduce standing water on City properties and to help spread the word about prevention."
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2005 approximately 1300 people in the US infected with West Nile virus came down with the neuroinvasive form of the disease, which includes paralysis, meningitis, and encephalitis. One hundred and nineteen people died. Thousands more had the less serious form of the disease, called West Nile fever.
“What makes these illnesses and deaths doubly distressing is that there is a lot that can be done to prevent West Nile virus infection even though there is no vaccine for people,” said Dr. Hopkins. “Everyone should take precautions to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes because you don’t want to run the risk that you will be debilitated or even die from it.”
The mosquito-bird connection
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile virus is carried by many types of birds including sparrows, robins, crows and at least 100 other species. A mosquito becomes infected by biting an infected bird that carries the virus. West Nile virus is not spread by person-to-person contact, nor is it transmitted directly from birds or other animals to people. West Nile virus can affect horses causing serious disease with a high death rate, but there is an effective vaccine available for horses. Fortunately, dogs and cats are resistant to the infection.
Culex pipiens or the northern house mosquito is the species of biggest concern in this area. It prefers to lay eggs in small amounts of standing water commonly found around houses in buckets, wheelbarrows, clogged drains and discarded tires. Removing this habitat will reduce the number of mosquitoes near people’s homes.
Tips for reducing habitat and preparing the home:
- Tip out barrels, buckets and wheelbarrows
- Tip out containers such as toys, cans or plant saucers
- Empty children’s wading pools when not in use
- Change water in birdbaths and animal troughs at least once a week
- Get rid of used tires
- Clean garden ponds
- Recycle old bottles, buckets and cans
- Clean leaf-clogged gutters
- Empty water from flower pot dishes
- Dump water off of tarps and plastic sheeting
- Repair leaky outdoor faucets
- Cover rain barrels with mosquito screens
- Repair ripped windows and door screens and make sure they fit tight
- Consider adding a screen door to doors that often are left open
Tips to avoid getting bitten when mosquitoes are out – often at dawn and dusk:
- Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants.
- Consider using an insect repellent. The CDC recommends repellents containing the chemical N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), which is known to be very effective for use with children and adults. It is important to read the label and follow the instructions on the label carefully.
- Long lasting and effective alternatives to products containing DEET are available. Insect repellents containing Picardin may be a good choice for some individuals.
More information:
Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.
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