A dead crow collected in Chattanooga has been confirmed as the first bird in Hamilton County to test positive for West Nile virus this year, according to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.

No birds or mosquitoes tested positive in 2006.

The bird was the fifth of five birds submitted to the local health department this year for testing, health department environmentalist David Hunter said, and the only one to test positive.

The dead crow was found in sector five of Hamilton County. This sector includes zip codes 37302, 37315, 37353, 37363, 37412 and 37421.

Since West Nile virus can spread to humans, it is important to monitor for the presence of the disease in the community, said health department administrator Becky Barnes. The disease is spread by mosquitoes, which first bite an infected bird and then could bite a person, she noted. This cycle can be interrupted by reducing the number of mosquitoes and by avoiding being bitten by those that are present.

In addition to collecting freshly dead blue jays, crows, and robins brought in by the public, the Health Department also traps mosquitoes in different sectors of Hamilton County and sends them as well as the bird samples to the State lab for testing.
During normal business hours, Mr. Hunter said, birds will be accepted at the environmental health division of the health department at 921 E. Third Street.

Residents should avoid contact with the dead birds they collect, Mr. Hunter advised. “Pick up the bird using a glove or a clear leak-proof plastic bag,” he said.

Anyone who brings in a dead bird will be asked to fill out a form asking for name and telephone number, along with the date the bird was discovered. The form also will ask the person to identify the spot where the bird was found: street address, city and zip code.

The Health Department will collect birds from a sector until a West Nile positive bird is discovered.

Additional birds will not be collected from a sector once WNV is found in the sector. For this reason, the public is encouraged to call the Health Department before bringing in a blue jay, crow or robin.

The health department fogs mosquito-infested areas of Hamilton County as necessary, Mr. Hunter said. In addition, about 300 identified mosquito-breeding areas are regularly inspected and treated when necessary with a larvicide that kills mosquitoes before they mature. As the health department learns of more such areas, they are added to the list of areas inspected.

Since mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, individuals and businesses can help reduce the number of insects by eliminating or regularly changing the water in bird baths, rain gutters, rainwater barrels, children's wading pools and other containers. If individuals have standing water areas on their properties that can not be removed they can purchase larvicides to kill mosquito larvae at local hardware, yard and garden stores.

Individuals can avoid mosquito bites by following a few simple rules:

•Stay indoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening.
•Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outdoors.
•Install or repair screens on Windows and doors
•Avoid wearing perfumes or colognes since they can attract mosquitoes.
•Apply insect repellant sparingly to exposed skin. Repellants may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellant to the hands of children. Insect repellents should not be applied to very young children (under three years old).
•Spray clothing with mosquito repellents.

Follow directions carefully when using insect repellants, Mr. Hunter advised.

Repellents containing either DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus have been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for protection against mosquito bites.

Members of the public who want to report finding a dead crow or blue jay or robin, or who know of mosquito-breeding areas not currently inspected, should call 209-8110.

Pictures of birds and additional information can be found at the following web address: http://health.hamiltontn.org/EnvHealth/wnvreview.htm If persons experience an intolerable level of mosquitoes at their address, they may call the mosquito hot-line at 209-8117 to request spraying.