Connect with us:   Subscribe to the paper  |   View the mobile edition  |   Get daily e-mail news  |   Get mobile alerts  |   Share your photos  |   Report news  |   Place an ad  |   Contact us


Summerville bird infected with West Nile

The Post and Courier
Thursday, April 17, 2008


Dead birds

To report a dead crow or blue jay to DHEC for testing, call 202-7020. DHEC officials will tell you if somebody can pick it up or will ask you to bring it in a plastic bag. Don't pick it up with your bare hands.

Go to www.scdhec.gov and look under 'Current Issues/News Releases' for more information.

Health officials have identified a bird infected with the West Nile virus in the Oakbrook area of Summerville.

It's the first confirmed case in the state this year. It's also the first time an infected bird has been found in the Summerville area, and it's several months earlier than normal.

It's not clear whether the problem is spreading or residents are doing a better job of reporting dead birds, said Paul Campbell, program manager for the Department of Health and Environmental Control's regional office.

Until this case, infected birds were found only in West Ashley, James Island and downtown Charleston, and they were first reported in August the last several years.

DHEC had identified the virus in mosquitoes in Summerville before, but this is the first time it has been found in a bird there, Campbell said. Mosquitoes spread the West Nile virus to birds and sometimes humans. DHEC regularly tests mosquitoes and relies on residents to report dead crows and blue jays for testing.

Most people infected with West Nile virus don't get sick, but about 20 percent get West Nile fever, which can last several weeks, Dr. Lena Bretous with DHEC's Bureau of Disease Control said in a statement on the agency's Web site.







Latest local stories




Sponsored Links


Notice about comments:
Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.

Comments

This article has  2 comment(s)

Posted by Hey_U_Guys on April 17, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What if someone eats one of these birds that has the West Nile Virus? Does the extreme heat from cooking kill the virus? I'm just trying to make sure Early doesn't get sick!



Posted by lillycollette on April 18, 2008 at 3:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm glad they reported who to contact about picking up and testing dead birds.




(Requires free registration.)

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:

Search Charleston.Net Archives for Latest News


Charleston.Net Customer Care | Subscribe to Paper, Register for email news updates, manage your online account, place a classified ad, or contact us




Charleston.net logo

Copyright © 1997 - 2008 the Evening Post Publishing Co.

Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of service, Privacy policy and our Parental consent form. (Updated 2/9/2007)