The mosquito season is underway and with it comes the risk of West Nile virus. King County’s West Nile virus environmental surveillance program in 2010 will focus on tracking dead birds because certain species of birds tend to get sick and die from West Nile very quickly. The public is urged to report dead birds one of two ways:
- report dead birds online or
- call public health at 206-205-4394.
Information about dead birds is tracked by public health because an increase in dead birds in a particular area may be an early warning sign that West Nile virus is entrenched in that area. In addition, some of the reported dead birds will be tested for the presence of West Nile virus.
More horses died from and people were infected with the mosquito-borne virus in Washington State in 2009 than in previous years. This means that West Nile virus may be becoming an ongoing presence in our state, and possibly to King County. In 2009 West Nile virus was found in:
- 73 horses or other mammal,
- 346 mosquito samples,
- 38 people and
- 22 birds statewide, and two birds in King County.
Residents should begin to act now to lessen the chances that mosquitoes will breed on their property, by getting rid of standing water. In addition, residents should take steps to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants when mosquitoes are biting, and also by wearing a mosquito repellent. Learn more at the <a href="http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ehs/westnile.aspx" title="West Nile Virus:
How You Can Fight the Bite!” target=”blank”>public health website.
