Warm Weather Brings Possibility of West Nile Virus

West_Nile_Logo_FnlRecent rains and increasing temperatures brings mosquitos back outside that may carry the West Nile Virus.
The virus is caused by mosquitos feeding off of infected birds.

The Knox County Health Department will be testing recently deceased birds for the virus and set mosquito traps in areas of standing water. That’s according to Director of Wellness and Health Promotion Erin Olson, who says they will be doing testing between May 15th and October 15th.

Olson tells WGIL that the community can help out if they see a dead bird by calling the Health Department and reporting it.

“The main thing we really want to do is just encourage our community members, if you do see Blue Jays, Robins, Crows, or Sparrows that look like they have been dead for a very short amount of time, make sure you give the Heath Department a call at 344-2224 so we can get someone out to go pick those up,” says Olson. “Also, just make sure you’re not leaving that standing water around and just protect yourself when you’re out in your community.”

Olson says you can help protect yourself by wear long sleeves and long pants, wear repellent, and get rid of any standing water around you like bird baths or kiddy pools.

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