Robin Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A robin found in unincorporated McHenry last week has tested positive for West Nile Virus, local health officials said Friday. The McHenry County Department of Health is reporting the robin is the first bird of the year to test positive for the virus in McHenry County.

In Illinois, there have been five birds that have tested positive for West Nile Virus so far this year and 11 batches of mosquitoes, according to a news release. There have not been any human cases of the virus so far this year in the state.

Infected birds can become carriers of the virus through the bite of an infected mosquito and then pass the virus onto mosquitoes that feed on them, according to health officials. West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans predominantly through the bite of Culex mosquitoes, which is the primary vector for West Nile Virus transmission in Illinois.

Illness from the virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis, meningitis and death, are possible. People who are older than 60 years old have the highest risk of serious illness and there is no vaccine available for West Nile Virus.

The best way to prevent West Nile Virus is to reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites around your home and to take personal precautions such as:

• Empty standing water from containers around the house (tires, neglected swimming pools, bird baths, clogged gutters and buckets); make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens
• Limit outdoor activities when Culex mosquitoes are most active (dusk, dawn) and wear long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection
• Use and apply insect repellents per label directions: Insect repellents containing 20% or more DEET (less for children) are effective and insect repellents including oil of lemon eucalyptus or Picaridin may be used as an alternative to DEET. A doctor should be consulted before any repellent is used on infants

From May through October, health department staff conducts West Nile Virus surveillance throughout the county, and mosquito batch collections and testing are conducted weekly, according to a news release.

In addition, the health department collects a limited number of dead birds for testing each mosquito season. Anyone who finds a dead crow, blue jay or other perching birds should call the Division of Environmental Health at 815-334-4585.

Bird specimens must be in good condition in order to be tested, which includes no signs of insects, obvious injury or decay, according to the news release. Residents should avoid bare-hand contact when handling any dead animal, health officials said.

More information via the McHenry County Department of Health website.