This makes a total of 21 negative and no positive birds since last fall. The 11 negative birds were collected in the towns of Williston, Rutland, Morgan, Milton, Bennington, Essex Junction, Newport, Montpelier and Charlotte. At least 16 more birds have been submitted for analysis and results are pending. However, it doesn't change the need to continue surveillance and take common sense precautions to prevent mosquito bites and reduce mosquito breeding areas. In addition, the Department of Agriculture has begun trapping and testing mosquitos for West Nile virus.
People get West Nile virus from the bite of an infected mosquito.
West Nile virus first appeared in the United States in 1999, when at least 62 people in the News York City area got sick and seven people died. So far this year, the virus has been detected in mosquitos and birds in several states including New York and Massachusetts, as well as three people on Staten Island, New York. In people, West Nile virus can cause flu-like symptoms and inflammation of the brain. 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 mosquitos 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.