Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2005
West Nile Virus Is confirmed in Knox County Birds.
Knox County Health Department Issues Mosquito Precautions and
Stops Collection of Dead Birds
Knox County Health Department officials received confirmation today from the Tennessee Department of Health that West Nile Virus (WNV) was found in two crows tested from west Knox County. This is the first evidence of WNV among birds in Knox County this year.
In 2004, Knox County’s first reported positive bird was on June 15 th. “West Nile Virus has been present in Knox County in previous years; consequently, we are not surprised by its presence in Knox County again this year," said Mark Jones, Director of the Knox County Health Department. "However, this confirmation does offer us the opportunity to again stress personal mosquito precautions."
The health department urges community members to lower their risk of mosquito-borne disease by taking the following precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites:
- If possible, limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn since this is the time of greatest mosquito activity.
- If you are outside when mosquitoes are prevalent, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks.
- Use a mosquito repellant that contains DEET (the chemical N-N-diethyl-metatoluamide), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and follow the directions on the label.
- Eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around your home by emptying areas such as birdbaths, children’s pools, clogged gutters and any other items that can collect stagnant water.
- Keep windows and doors closed or cover them with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
As a result of the positive test, Knox County Health Department officials will continue placing collection traps for adult mosquitoes in different areas of Knox County to monitor for WNV. However, KCHD will not continue accepting dead crows and blue jays for WNV testing. Mosquito spraying will continue with emphasis on the area where the positive bird was found.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause infections in humans that are mild, and symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches that last only a few days. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds and can transmit WNV to humans and horses through mosquito bites. In only a few instances, the virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis, an infection of the brain, in which case a high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, or convulsions may be present. The virus cannot spread from person to person.
Dead bird surveillance is used to look for disease; since blue jays and crows have a high sensitivity to the virus, they can provide an early warning of any significant increase of WNV in an area. As of August 15, 2005, WNV surveillance in Tennessee has resulted in one positive bird in Hamilton County in addition to the two Knox County birds. There have also been positive mosquito pools in Davidson and Shelby Counties. There have been no reported cases of human WNV infection in Tennessee thus far this year.
For more information about mosquito control and WNV, visit Knox County’s website at http://www.knoxcounty.org/health/mosquitos.php
Media Inquiries should be directed to Charity Menefee, Knox County Health Department PIO, at 215-5098 or 755-2214.
