Clark County Health Department Reminds Resident to Watch for Signs of West Nile Virus
Monday, September 10th, 2018 -- 8:02 AM
-From now until October 31st, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services requests that anyone who finds a sick or dead crow, blue jay, or raven report it to the Clark County Health Department at 715-743-5105.Birds will need to be collected and sent to the state lab to test for West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus is spread via the bite of an infected mosquito and can impact both humans and animals. Eighty percent of humans infected with WNV never experience symptoms; 20% may experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, neck stiffness, tiredness, and rash; less than one percent become seriously ill. In animals, WNV may be deadly and symptoms can include difficulty walking, head tilt, muscle tremors, and the inability to rise.
The Wisconsin Division of Public Health monitors dead birds as a warning system to indicate that WNV may be in the area. In July 2017, a blue jay found in the Thorp area tested positive for the disease. Thank you for your ongoing support and assistance with monitoring for WNV in Clark County.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.