Results on bird confirm West Nile

A dead blue jay collected from Jackson has tested positive for the presence of West Nile virus, according to an Ocean County Health Department spokesman.

Edward Rumen, the department's public information officer, said the dead bird was sent to the state lab in Trenton and the health department was subsequently notified that the bird had tested positive for the disease.

"This is about the right time of the year for positive birds to begin to be identified," said Dr. Ella Boyd, public health coordinator. "This is the first bird to test positive in Ocean County and the first bird to test positive in New Jersey this season."

The week of June 24-30 is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, Rumen said.

"Since the disease is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, people need to be aware that mosquito activity is on the increase," he said.

"To date there have been no West Nile virus cases in the state in people or horses," Boyd said. "Now that we know the disease is present once again in Ocean County, we are reminding residents to take certain actions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes and their possibility of coming into contact with the disease."

Boyd said county residents could take the following measures to limit their exposure to mosquitoes:

+ Minimize the time spent outdoors during early morning or early evening hours, when mosquitoes are most active.

+ When outdoors, if practical, wear long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants.

+ Use an insect repellent containing DEET.

+ Remove or restrict the use of water-holding items outdoors in your yard, including old tires, cans, pails and flower pots.

+ Change the water in bird baths, wading pools and animal watering troughs and bowls frequently.

+ Check your roof gutters to assure leaf litter has not created small dams where water can gather.

+ Check for trapped water in tarps covering boats, pools, or wood piles. Arrange the tarp to drain the water.

+ Fill ruts in driveways or pathways where water can gather for longer periods of time.

+ Keep house screens in good repair.

"The health department relies upon public support in locating areas where mosquitoes breed," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little. "The department collects dead crows and blue jays by responding to calls from homeowners and business persons who spot a dead bird on their property and call the health department at (732) 341-9700, ext. 7502, or toll free at 1-800-342-9738, ext. 7502."

Rumen said not all birds can be tested due to decay conditions, but all locations are noted and marked.

"All sightings are important to us," he said. "Uncollected birds are not considered a health hazard and can be disposed of as regular trash. Residents handling any dead animal or bird should wear gloves."

According to Ocean County Health Department epidemiologist Jennifer Sklow, most human West Nile virus infections produce no symptoms, or symptoms are mild or moderate and include fever, headache and body aches. The symptoms often are accompanied by skin rash and swollen lymph glands. But it can produce more dangerous conditions in the young or elderly and those persons with chronic diseases or compromised immune systems.

For more information on West Nile virus, including photos of crows, which some residents may confuse with the smaller, yellow-eyed grackles, visit the Ocean County Health Department Web site at www.ochd.org or the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Web site at www.state.nj.us/health.