Last year, while working with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, DHEC tested 40 dead wild birds, but found no trace of the virus. So far this year 27 dead wild birds have tested negative. N.C. We re keeping a watchful eye through our surveillance efforts and careful review of disease reports with physicians throughout the state, said Dr. Lisa Waddell, DHEC s deputy commissioner for Health Services. Mosquito populations aren t too bad this spring, but wet weather last week and so far this week is expected to encourage mosquito hatching, Wozniak said. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.
Mosquitoes then transfer the virus to humans or animals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that less than 1 percent of mosquitoes harbor the virus, and less than 1 percent of people bitten by an infected mosquito will become severely ill. Most cases of West Nile virus infection go undetected because they are so mild, Wozniak said. Severe symptoms of West Nile include headache, profound weakness, stupor or sleepiness and coma. Most of the hospitalized cases have been in people in their 70s or 80s, Wozniak said. Should the lab detect a virus, DHEC would alert public health officials and physicians and spray in a targeted area, Wozniak said.