West Nile Virus

April 25, 2005

With the 2005 mosquito season expected to begin in days, the Fairfax County Health Department is asking residents to report dead birds to help with the county's ongoing surveillance and tracking of West Nile virus. Infected mosquitoes are known to spread the virus to wild birds, other animals, and sometimes humans during mosquito season, which typically runs from May until October.

Since 2002, the Health Department has noted a decrease in the number of dead birds reported by residents. "The decrease in dead bird reports may be attributed to fewer birds dying, increased immunity in the live bird population, or fewer people calling to report dead birds," said Jorge Arias, Ph.D., West Nile virus coordinator for Fairfax County. "Each dead bird report is very important to us."

If anyone in Fairfax County finds a dead bird near their home or business, they now have several options to report it to the Health Department. They can call the agency's dead bird reporting line at 703-246-2300, TTY 703-591-6435, send an e-mail , or visit the Health Department's improved West Nile virus and mosquito management Web site .

Residents are asked to provide their name, a contact phone number, the date the bird was found, the location of the bird, and the type of bird, if known, or a description of the bird. The correct way to dispose of a dead bird is by double-bagging it and placing it in the garbage. The Health Department reminds everyone to avoid handling any dead animal with bare hands.

Humans contract West Nile virus most often from the bite of an infected mosquito; but most people bitten by infected mosquitoes do not get sick. Those who do get sick from West Nile virus usually suffer a mild flu-like illness and recover without treatment. However, in a few people, most often older than 50, West Nile virus can cause serious illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Only supportive treatment is available for this serious form of the disease.

Since the first appearance of West Nile virus in 2002 in Fairfax County, there have been 17 human cases reported with two deaths.

This year, the Health Department will continue its aggressive West Nile virus and mosquito management public education campaign, "Fight the Bite: Say NO to MOsquitoes." Materials are published in five languages - English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese - and can be downloaded from the program's Web site educational materials page.