As of today, in 2000, the State Health Department has confirmed West Nile virus in 67 birds, and 25 mosquito pools. Rockland 2 Westchester 1 Health officials stress that there have been no known cases of illness caused by West Nile virus among humans this year. The Ulster County crow is the only one of 56 dead crows reported in the county so far this year, and 28 submitted for testing, to show a positive result. More than 4,500 dead crows have been reported statewide, and 1,039 have been submitted for testing. 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.
For that reason, they are considered to be an important early warning sign that infection could be present in a specific area. Birds are not the source of West Nile virus, but rather, serve as its reservoir, after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Culex most often bite between dawn and dusk, Aedes japonicus bite during the daytime and at dusk. People with questions about West Nile virus, or reports of dead birds, are urged to contact their local health department.