West Nile virus found in Salt Lake County

SALT LAKE CITY — West Nile virus has been found in a magpie in Salt Lake County, the Division of Wildlife Resources and the Salt Lake Valley Health Department announced June 2.

This is the first detection of West Nile virus in Utah this year. Wild bird surveillance will continue throughout Utah as needed.

Wild birds continue to be important indicators of West Nile viral activity in local communities. Viral activity in birds is often detected before human illness.

The Division of Wildlife Resources encourages the public to participate in Utah's Wild Bird Surveillance program. If you see an ill or dead bird in your area, the best way to report the bird is through the DWR's Web site. More information regarding wild bird surveillance, including a bird identification page and an online submission form, can be found at the site at wildlife.utah.gov/wnv.

You can also report the bird to the nearest DWR office. Please see the end of this article for a list of offices and contacts.

Target species for testing in the 2006 season include birds of the Corvid family (ravens, crows, jays, etc.), raptors and other species that may be exhibiting neurologic symptoms.

It is important to note that not all birds may be suitable for testing. To determine if a bird is suitable for testing, please follow these guidelines:

• Is the bird a target species? (Is it a raven, crow, jay, bird of prey, or does the bird appear to be ill or dying?)
• Has the bird been dead less than 24 hours? (Birds that have been dead longer than 24 hours appear decayed and are not suitable for testing.)
• Is there no other obvious cause of death, such as a window strike, cat-kill or collision with a vehicle?

Since people may become infected with WNV through the bite of an infected mosquito, personal protection is key. West Nile virus can result in serious disease or death. It is important to follow these recommended guidelines:

• Use mosquito repellents with DEET or Picaridin, especially from dusk to dawn. Mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are most active during this time.
• For children under the age of two months, do not use DEET.
• Wear protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors.
• Make sure window screens and screened door are in good repair. Small holes will allow mosquitoes to enter.
• Change water regularly (every two or three days) in birdbaths, outdoor pet dishes, etc.
• Aerate ornamental ponds or contact your local mosquito abatement district regarding treatment options.
• Eliminate standing water around your home in locations such as old tires, cans, poorly kept swimming pools, or any other source where stagnant water accumulates.

For more information on personal protection and minimizing mosquitoes around your home, please visit health.utah.gov.

Division of Wildlife Resources regional offices and WNV contacts

• Salt Lake Office
  1594 W North Temple, Suite 2110
  P.O. Box 146301
  Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6301
  Phone: (801) 538-4700 Contact: Leslie McFarlane, LeslieMcFarlane@utah.gov

• Northern Region (Cache, Rich, Box Elder, Weber, Morgan, Davis and Summit counties)
  515 E 5300 S
  Ogden, Utah 84405
  Phone: (801) 476-2740
  Contact: Adam Kozlowski, AdamKozlowski@utah.gov

• Northeastern Region (Uintah, Daggett and Duchesne counties)
  152 E 100 N
  Vernal, Utah 84078
  Phone: (435) 781-9453
  Information Manager: Boyde Blackwell, BoydeBlackwell@utah.gov

• Central Region (Utah, Wasatch, Tooele, Juab, Sanpete and Salt Lake counties)
  1115 N Main St
  Springville, Utah 84663
  Phone: (801) 491-5678
  Information Manager: Steve Gray, SteveGray@utah.gov

• Southeastern Region (Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties. Also, eastern Wayne and Garfield counties)
  475 W Price River Dr, Suite C
  Price, Utah 84501
  Phone: (435) 636-0260
  Information Manager: Casey Olsen, CaseyOlsen@utah.gov

• Southern Region (Washington, Iron, Kane, Garfield, Beaver, Piute, Millard, Wayne and Sevier counties)
  1470 N Airport Rd
  Cedar City, Utah 84720
  Phone: (435) 865-6100
  Information Manager: Keith Day, ZKeithDay@utah.gov