Magpie found with West Nile virus
BOISE — A magpie in Gooding County has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first evidence of the sickness in south-central Idaho, state Health and Welfare Department officials said Thursday.
This is the first infected bird discovered in the state.
“We have seen West Nile infections in southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon in horses in recent weeks, and we are now seeing it in other areas of our state,” said Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, deputy state epidemiologist. “This case indicates the virus is present in a broader area of the state, so people need to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites.”
A Canyon County horse tested positive for the virus on Aug. 20. Horses with the virus in eastern Oregon were identified the day before.
West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
The magpie was collected by the South Central District Health Department as part of an ongoing surveillance effort to detect the virus.
Until Thursday, 69 birds had been tested for the virus in Idaho. In other states, birds have been an indicator of the virus’ spread. Detecting it early in birds allows health officials to alert the public to avoid mosquito bites.
Tengelsen said most people with the virus will not realize they contracted it or will have mild flu-like symptoms. But it can lead to serious illness, especially in people over 50. Common symptoms are headaches, body aches and a mild fever.
August is usually the peak time for mosquito activity. Tengelsen advises people to insect-proof their homes and reduce standing water on their properties where the mosquitoes might breed.
Other tips include covering up exposed skin outdoors, using insect repellant with DEET, avoiding mosquitoes when they are active at dawn and dusk, emptying birdbaths and cleaning decorative ponds every three to six days.
West Nile virus is particularly virulent for certain species of birds, including corvids and raptors. Corvids includes magpies, ravens, crows and jays. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game also has been working with Health and Welfare for the past two years in West Nile surveillance efforts in birds.
An Idaho man contracted the virus last winter after working with infected baby alligators imported from Florida. He fully recovered. The case is the first for an infection originated within state lines.