Promote good health by practicing preventative care. On Thursday, October 5th, Ivan C.A. Walks, M.D., Chief Health Officer of the District of Columbia, confirmed that two bird carcasses found on September 30th in the District have tested positive for the West Nile Virus and described a plan of action for prevention the virus' spread. The West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have ingested the virus from infected birds. The virus causes encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain. Mild symptoms include fever, head and body aches, and swollen lymph glands.
More severe infection is marked by headache, high fever, and neck stiffness.
There is no vaccine. Animals cannot transmit the disease to other animals or humans. To date, the two birds are the first of 94 to test positive. The Department of Health is awaiting results on 52 others. Elderly residents and individuals with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to the virus.