Health officials find 4 more birds with West Nile virus

10/2/2001

Four more dead birds found in Lucas County have tested positive for the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, bringing the total found in the county to eight, according to health officials.

The birds, three crows and one blue jay, were collected between Sept. 17 and Sept. 19; three in West Toledo and one at the Lucas County Recreation Center. One bird each was found in the 6000 block of Clover Lane, the 4500 block of Satinwood Drive, the 4400 block of Standing Timbers, and at the recreation center.

Statewide, the virus has shown up in 162 dead birds. In Michigan, 45 dead birds have tested positive for West Nile.

No human cases have surfaced in either state. Only mosquitoes can transmit the virus. Less than 1 percent of those bitten by an infected mosquito will develop a serious illness, but in rare cases the disease can be fatal.