Found In Newtown––

Hawk Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

By Jan Howard

A dead hawk found on Meadow Brook Road on July 25 has tested positive for the West Nile virus, according to Health Director Donna McCarthy of the Newtown Health District.

The bird is the first in Newtown to test positive for the virus this year. The district has submitted three birds to the state Department of Health for testing so far this summer, she said.

There are no human cases of West Nile in Connecticut as yet, Ms McCarthy said.

West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne virus, is characterized by flulike symptoms including fever, headache, and muscle aches. The peak period of risk is during August and September.

Of the dead hawk, she noted, “We have to be not too surprised by this. It doesn’t show it’s waning.” The virus is well entrenched, she added.

Ms McCarthy said the town is placing biological larvicides in catch basins within town roadways where mosquitoes would breed. No mosquitoes trapped in Newtown have tested positive for the virus, she said.

When bitten by an infected mosquito, most people will have mild symptoms, such as headache and fever, or none at all. It is believed that 50 to 300 persons get infected with West Nile virus for every person who gets a severe infection that requires hospitalization.

The severity of the disease depends on the general health of an individual, Ms McCarthy said.

Ms McCarthy said residents should protect themselves against the West Nile virus by dumping any standing water immediately. Mosquitoes live near and breed in standing water, and she advised residents to walk around their property and check items in their yards, such as unused bird baths, boats, buckets, tires, ceramic pots, tire swings, cans, and roof gutters, and to dump the water. Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use, and change water in birdbaths on a weekly basis.

Even a coffee cup can be host to many mosquitoes, Ms McCarthy noted.

Other precautions include making sure that door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.

Residents should further protect themselves through personal precautions, such as limiting activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks and shoes, using mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors, and using insect repellents as recommended.

West Nile virus maps are updated each weekday to reflect surveillance reports released by state and local health departments to the Center for Disease Control Arbonet system for public distribution. As of August 8, 38 states, including Connecticut, have reported cases of avian, animal or mosquito infection. Human disease cases have been reported in 17 states.

So far in 2003, 16 West Nile virus infected birds have been found in Connecticut. The birds include 13 crows, one blue jay, and one raven, in addition to the hawk, and were found May 30 to July 30. As of August 8, 110 wild birds have been submitted to the State Mosquito Management Program. Testing has been completed on 79 birds and results are pending on 30 birds (one was not suitable for testing).

Mosquitos testing positive for West Nile virus were trapped in Redding on July 8.

“As in previous years, West Nile virus is increasing during August. Infected birds have now been identified in seven counties,” said Norma Gyle, RN, PhD, acting commissioner, Department of Public Health. “It is important that residents, particularly the elderly, avoid mosquito bites during the mosquito season, especially in areas where West Nile virus is identified.”

Onset of cold weather eventually ends the threat of exposure to West Nile virus.

During 2002, 17 people were confirmed with West Nile virus infection. Ten persons were hospitalized. Overall the age of patients ranged from 24 to 81 years. None died from their illness. The median age of the hospitalized patients was 62 years.

The disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and young children, as well as those with compromised immune systems.

Sightings of dead birds should be reported to local health departments with the date of the sighting, location, and description and number of birds. The local health department submits selected birds for West Nile virus testing offered as part of the statewide surveillance system. Specimens are examined at the University of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology and testing is completed at the Department of Public Health Laboratory. Dead wild bird monitoring and testing is conducted from May through October.

 To monitor for diseases spread by mosquitoes statewide, trapping is conducted at 91 fixed sites from June through October by The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. There is one site in Newtown.

 For additional information about West Nile virus, contact the health district at 270-4291 or email newtownhd@earthlink.net.