Basscat
08-23-2001, 09:34 PM
I found this on the web, and thought that us hunter's might want to know about this before we head out in the woods this year. Please tell your friends.
http://sns.wxmi.com/news/local/082301-wxmi-westnile.story?coll=wxmi-newslocal-headlines
West Nile Arrives In Michigan
August 23 2001, 5:38 PM EDT
MICHIGAN -- The rare but potentially deadly West Nile virus has spread to Michigan, where health officials confirmed Thursday that two crows have died of the virus. They urged people to protect themselves from mosquitoes and avoid standing water where mosquitoes might breed. But they also offered reassurance, saying Michigan residents stand only a small chance of becoming infected and an even smaller chance of dying from the virus. No human cases have been detected in Michigan. "The risk is low," said David Johnson, chief medical executive of the state Department of Community Health. He added there is no reason to panic. The virus is spread by mosquitoes that bite infected birds, then people or other animals, such as horses. It is not spread person to person or animal to person. Most infected people have no symptoms. People older than 50 are most at risk, officials said. The disease, which causes encephalitis, or an inflammation of the brain, first was detected in the United States in New York City in 1999. It spread widely last year, reaching as far west as Erie, Pa. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed a blue jay found in a New Orleans suburb had died of the virus. It was clear the virus was creeping closer to Michigan once a dead blue jay was confirmed to have the virus last month in Lake County, Ohio. Earlier this week, a crow from Indiana tested positive for the virus. Also on Thursday, Canadian health officials said a dead crow found two weeks ago just across Detroit's border in Windsor, Ontario, tested positive for the West Nile virus, the first time the disease has been confirmed in Canada. "We anticipated this," state Community Health Director James Haveman said of the virus's move to Michigan. He and other officials held a news conference Thursday to announce that two crows found dead in Oakland and Macomb counties tested positive for the disease. Tissue samples from the two Michigan birds were first tested at Michigan State University, then tested by state health officials and shipped to a federal laboratory in Colorado. All the tests confirmed the birds had the virus. State health and agricultural officials said they will increase their monitoring of mosquitoes and dead crows, especially in Oakland and Macomb counties. They urged people who find dead birds to avoid touching them barehanded and to report them to a toll-free hot line. They also said people should regularly drain standing water in bird baths, pet dishes, flower pots, clogged rain gutters and horse troughs where mosquitoes might breed. Contrary to some news reports, Gov. John Engler has not authorized the State Police Emergency Management Division to begin mosquito control programs, said Community Health spokeswoman Geralyn Lasher. That would be done only in an emergency, she said. Because the West Nile virus is carried by birds and mosquitoes, all regions of the country are bracing for its arrival. Less than 1 percent of those infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness. So far, about 10 people in the United States have died from it. The virus attacks the central nervous system and can weaken the immune system and muscles. Once it is in the bloodstream, it can multiply and inflame the brain tissue, causing meningitis or encephalitis. If detected early, the West Nile virus can be diagnosed and the symptoms treated before serious infections result. Those who catch the virus will have minor symptoms such as fever, body aches or a skin rash. A very small percentage of those infected become extremely ill, with symptoms such as a stiff neck, disorientation, coma, convulsions, paralysis and even death, according to health officials. Since the 1930s, the virus has been common in parts of Africa, Europe and eastern Asia. Toll-free hot line to report dead birds: 1-888-668-0869.
Copyright © 2001, WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids
http://sns.wxmi.com/news/local/082301-wxmi-westnile.story?coll=wxmi-newslocal-headlines
West Nile Arrives In Michigan
August 23 2001, 5:38 PM EDT
MICHIGAN -- The rare but potentially deadly West Nile virus has spread to Michigan, where health officials confirmed Thursday that two crows have died of the virus. They urged people to protect themselves from mosquitoes and avoid standing water where mosquitoes might breed. But they also offered reassurance, saying Michigan residents stand only a small chance of becoming infected and an even smaller chance of dying from the virus. No human cases have been detected in Michigan. "The risk is low," said David Johnson, chief medical executive of the state Department of Community Health. He added there is no reason to panic. The virus is spread by mosquitoes that bite infected birds, then people or other animals, such as horses. It is not spread person to person or animal to person. Most infected people have no symptoms. People older than 50 are most at risk, officials said. The disease, which causes encephalitis, or an inflammation of the brain, first was detected in the United States in New York City in 1999. It spread widely last year, reaching as far west as Erie, Pa. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed a blue jay found in a New Orleans suburb had died of the virus. It was clear the virus was creeping closer to Michigan once a dead blue jay was confirmed to have the virus last month in Lake County, Ohio. Earlier this week, a crow from Indiana tested positive for the virus. Also on Thursday, Canadian health officials said a dead crow found two weeks ago just across Detroit's border in Windsor, Ontario, tested positive for the West Nile virus, the first time the disease has been confirmed in Canada. "We anticipated this," state Community Health Director James Haveman said of the virus's move to Michigan. He and other officials held a news conference Thursday to announce that two crows found dead in Oakland and Macomb counties tested positive for the disease. Tissue samples from the two Michigan birds were first tested at Michigan State University, then tested by state health officials and shipped to a federal laboratory in Colorado. All the tests confirmed the birds had the virus. State health and agricultural officials said they will increase their monitoring of mosquitoes and dead crows, especially in Oakland and Macomb counties. They urged people who find dead birds to avoid touching them barehanded and to report them to a toll-free hot line. They also said people should regularly drain standing water in bird baths, pet dishes, flower pots, clogged rain gutters and horse troughs where mosquitoes might breed. Contrary to some news reports, Gov. John Engler has not authorized the State Police Emergency Management Division to begin mosquito control programs, said Community Health spokeswoman Geralyn Lasher. That would be done only in an emergency, she said. Because the West Nile virus is carried by birds and mosquitoes, all regions of the country are bracing for its arrival. Less than 1 percent of those infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness. So far, about 10 people in the United States have died from it. The virus attacks the central nervous system and can weaken the immune system and muscles. Once it is in the bloodstream, it can multiply and inflame the brain tissue, causing meningitis or encephalitis. If detected early, the West Nile virus can be diagnosed and the symptoms treated before serious infections result. Those who catch the virus will have minor symptoms such as fever, body aches or a skin rash. A very small percentage of those infected become extremely ill, with symptoms such as a stiff neck, disorientation, coma, convulsions, paralysis and even death, according to health officials. Since the 1930s, the virus has been common in parts of Africa, Europe and eastern Asia. Toll-free hot line to report dead birds: 1-888-668-0869.
Copyright © 2001, WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids