Over 555 dead birds have been reported and 213 have been sent for testing. Prior to this most recent finding, all 153 birds tested were negative. Testing dead birds is one part of the state's West Nile virus surveillance program. In addition, the Department of Agriculture has been trapping and testing mosquitoes for the virus. No mosquitoes have tested positive this year.
People get West Nile virus from the bite of an infected mosquito.
There have been 14 human cases in the greater New York area and one death. Common sense precautions recommended by the Health Department include wearing long sleeves and pants when outside, limiting outdoor time at dawn and dusk and other times when mosquitoes are out, using insect repellants that contain DEET according to directions and not on infants, and reducing the presence of standing water. Any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days can become a breeding ground, so people should empty clogged gutters, change the water in the bird bath regularly, turn over the wading pool or wheel barrel and get rid of old tires.