2008 Woodie Awards
West Nile-infected bird found in Edwardsville
Dead blue jay indicates peak of West Nile season
Matthew Schroyer
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: News
County and state health officials are on heightened alert after a dead blue jay, which tested positive for West Nile virus, was found Thursday in Edwardsville.
The bird was found in an Edwardsville suburb and is the first avian case of the year for Madison County.
West Nile virus is known to cause encephalitis, a swelling of brain tissue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far this year, there have been 11 human cases in Illinois and one resulting death. Nationwide, there have been 576 cases in 2007.
Mike Hungerford, environmental health services manager for the Madison County Health Department, said the discovery is an indicator of the peak West Nile "season," which runs through late July and early September. Most cases occur in August, when hot temperatures contribute to an increase in the mosquito population and amplifies the virus.
"You're not only having a virus replicating faster, you also have a mosquito replicating faster," Hungerford said.
The Culex mosquito is a vector for the virus, and can carry and transmit the virus between birds and humans. Crows and blue jays, like the one found in Edwardsville, are especially susceptible to infection and death, and are bellwethers for the West Nile season.
"While birds are preferred hosts, they take a blood meal from a human when they can," Hungerford said.
West Nile virus most greatly affects people 50 years of age and older, who are at greater risk for neuroinvasive diseases. Those whose immune systems are compromised from chemotherapy or AIDS would also be more affected by the virus.
"If anybody is immuno-compromised, they'd be at greater risk of anything," Hungerford said.
Symptoms of West Nile are flu-like, and may include fever, headache, body aches, tiredness and occasionally rashes. However, according to the CDC, less than 20 percent of those infected develop symptoms and most people will not know they are infected.
The bird was found in an Edwardsville suburb and is the first avian case of the year for Madison County.
West Nile virus is known to cause encephalitis, a swelling of brain tissue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far this year, there have been 11 human cases in Illinois and one resulting death. Nationwide, there have been 576 cases in 2007.
Mike Hungerford, environmental health services manager for the Madison County Health Department, said the discovery is an indicator of the peak West Nile "season," which runs through late July and early September. Most cases occur in August, when hot temperatures contribute to an increase in the mosquito population and amplifies the virus.
"You're not only having a virus replicating faster, you also have a mosquito replicating faster," Hungerford said.
The Culex mosquito is a vector for the virus, and can carry and transmit the virus between birds and humans. Crows and blue jays, like the one found in Edwardsville, are especially susceptible to infection and death, and are bellwethers for the West Nile season.
"While birds are preferred hosts, they take a blood meal from a human when they can," Hungerford said.
West Nile virus most greatly affects people 50 years of age and older, who are at greater risk for neuroinvasive diseases. Those whose immune systems are compromised from chemotherapy or AIDS would also be more affected by the virus.
"If anybody is immuno-compromised, they'd be at greater risk of anything," Hungerford said.
Symptoms of West Nile are flu-like, and may include fever, headache, body aches, tiredness and occasionally rashes. However, according to the CDC, less than 20 percent of those infected develop symptoms and most people will not know they are infected.
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