Bird with West Nile found in Cobb

An American crow has tested positive for the West Nile virus in Cobb County, the Georgia Public Health Laboratory reported Friday.

Officials said Cobb and Douglas county residents should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.

“West Nile Virus is a potentially serious mosquito-transmitted disease that can cause illness or death,” the agency reported. “However, the virus cannot be transmitted from birds to man.”

It said most people infected with the disease do not have symptoms, but others may experience mild or flu-like complaints, such as headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands and rash, the department said.

“A small number of people infected may develop serious illnesses, such as meningitis — swelling of the membrane surrounding the spinal cord — or encephalitis — swelling of the brain, the statement said.

“This incident reinforces the need for all of us to be vigilant in applying preventive measures to help control mosquito breeding,” said Dr. Jack Kennedy, district Health Director, Cobb & Douglas Public Health.

“It is the responsibility of all of us, the community as a whole, to ensure that our backyards are not breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Practicing prevention techniques that control mosquito breeding, coupled with applying personal protection techniques, has proven effective in combating West Nile virus.”

According to public health experts, the best ways to avoid the disease are to prevent mosquitoes from breeding around your home and to practice personal protection to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Cobb and Douglas Public Health serves children, adolescents, and adults of Cobb and Douglas Counties in metropolitan Atlanta with personal health services, a pharmacy, prevention and health promotion programs, epidemiological investigations and health assessment, environmental health inspections and investigations, and emergency preparedness planning and response for natural and man-made disasters including bioterrorism.

Health officials recommend taking the following prevention and personal protection actions:

1) Avoid outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

2) Dress appropriately when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are most active. Experts recommend wearing tightly woven light-colored clothing, long sleeves, pants, shoes and socks when outdoors.

3) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends use of insect repellents with DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) as an active ingredient, Picaridin, or Oil of Eucalyptus. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents containing DEET not be used on infants less than two months old. Always follow the directions on the package for the safest and most effective use.

4) Eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes lay eggs and breed in areas with standing water. Clean gutters and empty accumulated water in flowerpots, old tires and recycling bins.

“Residents are urged to call and report all dead birds,” said Tom Campbell, director, Center for Environmental Health, Cobb & Douglas Public Health. “Blue Jays, crows and raptors that have been dead no more than 24 hours are usually collected for laboratory analysis. Although West Nile virus cannot be transmitted from birds to man, we recommend that residents wear disposable gloves or use double bags if they handle a dead bird.”

For more information on mosquitoes and West Nile virus, experts say residents should call

(770) 514-2432 and select option six or visit www.CobbAndDouglasPublicHealth.org or www.cdc.gov. Information regarding bird pick-up can be obtained by calling (770) 514-2432 and selecting option seven. Please note that there will be limited bird pick-up to detect West Nile. Environmental Health Services can be reached at (770) 435-7815. For information, visit www.CobbAndDouglasPublicHealth.org on the Web.