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CONTACT: Beth Kaplan, (608)
266-1683
STATE ACTIVATES DEAD BIRD REPORTING HOTLINE TO TRACK WEST NILE VIRUS
MADISON—To help track the West Nile virus (WNV), state health officials
have reactivated the statewide, toll-free Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at
1-800-433-1610.
“Certain dead birds can act as an early warning system for West Nile
virus activity in an area,” said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health
Officer. “Finding the virus in birds indicates that West Nile virus may
be present in the local mosquito population, which can be helpful in
triggering special prevention and insect-control measures.”
Anderson said that anyone who observes a dead bird can call the
hotline and arrange to have the bird tested for West Nile virus. Hotline
staff can answer questions about dead birds and provide information on
safe handling and disposal. People should not handle dead birds with
bare hands.
West Nile virus is spread to people by the bite of a mosquito
infected with the virus. Mosquitoes get infected with WNV by feeding on
infected birds and can then transmit the virus to other animals, birds,
and humans.
Only one in five people infected with West Nile virus will have
symptoms, which begin within 3 to 14 days and typically last a few days.
Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, or a
skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. In rare cases, West Nile virus
can cause severe disease with additional symptoms, including muscle
weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis,
coma, and potentially death. The elderly and people who have received a
transplant may be at greater risk of developing severe illness. People
who become ill and think they have West Nile virus infection should
contact their healthcare provider for treatment of symptoms.
“The best way to prevent West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne
infections is to prevent mosquito bites,” said Anderson. “Mosquitoes
breed in water, so eliminating standing water around homes and
workplaces reduces mosquito breeding sites and the risk of bites. Even
small pools formed in ashtrays or old tires can be breeding grounds.”
Other measures to help prevent mosquito bites include:
- Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are
most active.
- Apply insect repellant to skin, and spray clothing with insect
repellant because mosquitoes may bite through clothing. The CDC
recommends using products that contain active ingredients approved
and registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
These products display an EPA registration number on the label.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to reduce bites.
- Repair window and door screens to prevent mosquito entry.
- Properly dispose of items that hold water, such as tin cans,
plastic containers, pots or discarded tires.
- Clean roof gutters and downspouts for proper drainage.
- Turn over wheelbarrows, wading pools, boats and canoes when not
in use.
- Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least every
three days.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot
tubs; drain water from pool covers.
- Trim tall grass, weeds and vines because mosquitoes use these
areas to rest during hot daylight hours.
- Landscape to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas.
The Department of Health Services has monitored the spread of WNV
among wild birds, horses, and humans since 2001. In 2002, the state
documented its first human infections, with 52 human cases. This was
followed by 17 human cases in 2003, 12 in 2004, 17 in 2005, 21 in 2006,
12 in 2007, 8 in 2008, 1 in 2009, 2 in 2010, and 3 in 2011.
For more information on West Nile virus, go to
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/ArboviralDiseases/WestNileVirus/ or
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.
For information regarding mosquito repellents, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm
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Last Revised:
June 12, 2012
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