West Nile Program

(Little Rock, AR) The Department of Health and Human Services has begun its statewide surveillance for West Nile Virus (WNV) in wild birds. Mosquito surveillance will begin in June. The 2007 WNV surveillance program will include the testing of crows, bluejays, robins, hawks, and owls since these birds are the major carriers of the virus in wild bird populations. These wild birds may die if infected with the virus, and act as indicators for the presence and spread of the West Nile Virus. Arkansans are encouraged to assist in this surveillance for this virus by bringing dead crows, bluejays, robins, hawks, and owls to their local health unit for laboratory testing. Arkansans are also encouraged to report die-offs of other wild bird species statewide, as die-offs may indicate the presence of West Nile Virus or other diseases affecting humans. Most people infected with West Nile Virus do not get sick. Less than one percent of people bitten by an infected mosquito develop severe illness. People fifty years and over are at greater risk of developing severe illness and encephalitis. There is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus infections; avoiding mosquitoes is the best prevention. Symptoms of infection typically begin within 14 days following the insect bite and consist of fever, headache, rash, muscle and joint aches, listlessness and possibly encephalitis (swelling of the brain which is the most dangerous symptom). In 2006, Arkansas had 29 confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus infection, which resulted in 4 human deaths from the disease. Arkansas experienced 28 human cases of West Nile Virus infection in 2005, which also resulted in 4 deaths. 28 human cases were reported in 2004, with no deaths from the disease. (Copyright 2007 Newsroom Solutions, LLC)