The State Health Department's Wadsworth Laboratory has confirmed two additional birds from Rockland County as positive for West Nile virus. One of the birds, a crow, was submitted from the town of Clarkstown. The other, a blue jay, was submitted from the town of Orangetown. These findings are not surprising, given the previous discovery of infected crows in Rockland County and in Bergen County, New Jersey. Dead birds, especially crows, were present in large numbers in areas affected by last year's West Nile virus outbreak.
Crows are particularly susceptible to the virus, and the vast majority of infected crows die.
During last year's outbreak, far more birds were confirmed to be infected with the virus than there were cases of human illness. For this reason, the latest laboratory results should not alarm the public. However, they do indicate that Rockland County's enhanced control efforts, including additional larviciding, are appropriate. Although no positive human cases or mosquitoes have yet been detected, continued surveillance for dead birds, human cases of encephalitis and infected mosquito pools also is essential. Rockland County residents and those who live in counties previously affected by West Nile virus need to continue to be vigilant about personal protection, as well.