West Nile Virus Found in Crow in Sioux County
Since West Nile Virus mainly infects mosquitoes and birds, dead bird submission is one type of surveillance for West Nile Virus.
Nancy Dykstra of Community Health Partners reports that a crow submitted to the University Hygienic Lab from Sioux County the first week of July tested positive for West Nile Virus.
West Nile Virus is an arbovirus (a virus carried by mosquitoes). The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquitoe. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. West Nile Virus can then be transmitted to humans and animals. West Nile Virus cannot be spread human to human.
Prevention is the best protection. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Clean rain gutters, empty unused buckets, cover stored tires, clean bird feeders, etc. Avoid mosquito bitesby wearing appropriate clothing or by applying DEET.