Madison Department
of Public Health
PRESS RELEASE
Date:
July 31, 2003
Contact: John Hausbeck, 235-4095 or Amanda Kita, 294-5314
Madison’s first West Nile Virus (WNV) positive bird was reported to the Madison Department of Public Health today. This bird was collected on July 17, 2003 on Madison’s east side. This news was expected due to the fact that West Nile virus was identified in Madison during both 2001 and 2002. Thus far in 2003, 49 sick or dead crows and blue jays in Madison have been reported and 24 of these have been collected for WNV analysis (1 positive, 12 negative, 11 pending). No mosquitoes in Madison have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Statewide, WNV infection has been found in nine birds, two horses, and one mosquito pool.
The best ways to protect yourself from WNV is to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito-breeding areas around your home.
Preventing mosquito bites:
- Limit outdoor activity in the evening and at night.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
- Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.
- Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET in concentrations greater than 35% is unnecessary.
- Do not allow children to spray themselves with repellant and avoid applying repellent children’s hands.
- Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product.
- If the wind is calm or low, sit in front of a fan to reduce the ability of mosquitoes fly and land on you.
- Install or repair window and door screens.
Eliminating mosquito breeding sites:
- Dispose of used tires.
- Clean rain gutters.
- Change water in birdbaths and child wading pools every 2-3 days.
- Keep swimming pools chlorinated.
- Keep any containers from collecting rainwater (i.e. flower pots, buckets, swimming pool covers, etc)
Madison residents should report sick or dead crows and blue jays to the Department’s WNV Hotline, 294-5362. Persons with questions about WNV should also be directed to this number. Questions related to this press release can be directed to the contacts listed above.