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West Nile virus found in eight chickens

Health officials say the risk for humans getting the virus is greater when chickens test positive for the virus.

By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Published September 2, 2005

TAMPA - Eight sentinel chickens in Hillsborough County have tested positive for the West Nile virus during the past two weeks, prompting county health department officials to urge residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes that carry the potentially deadly virus.

"The risk of transmission to humans is much greater when you start to see the positives in chickens," said Eliot Gregos, environmental manager for the Hillsborough County Health Department. "That's what prompted this warning."

Gregos said Friday that the chickens who tested positive for the virus were all in southern Hillsborough, but they were in five different locations.

"So this is widespread," he said. "Just because it was in southern Hillsborough doesn't mean it doesn't exist north of there. It may be we just haven't picked it up yet."

This marks the first time this year that Hillsborough chickens have tested positive, but it comes after the recent death of one of 12 Pinellas County residents reported to have the virus.

The Pinellas cases are the only ones reported in Florida so far this year.

Gregos said it's not surprising that Hillsborough chickens have started to test positive, given the counties' proximity.

"I'm sure it's related. It's got to be," he said. "Some types of mosquitoes can travel for miles, so certainly they could be spreading it."

The virus spreads from infected mosquitoes to birds. The birds infect other mosquitoes, which bite other birds - and humans.

Most people who get the virus never know it. Those who get sick typically develop flulike symptoms such as fever, fatigue and headache.

But about one person in 150 gets severe symptoms that can lead to coma, paralysis or death. Older people are most at risk for such extreme reactions.

Pinellas health department officials have not confirmed whether it was the mosquito-borne disease that killed the man who died last month. But the patient was older than 75, and one of three people who developed severe West Nile symptoms.

Gregos said people should avoid going outdoors at dusk and dawn, and they should wear long-sleeved clothing and insect repellants with DEET. Also, get rid of standing water around the home, where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Make sure the water in pools and spas circulates - another way to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs, Gregos said.

Health department officials ask that area physicians contact them at (813) 307-8010 if they suspect an individual has contracted a mosquito-borne illness.

Gregos said West Nile outbreaks tend to get "much worse" in late summer and fall, "and it won't get better until it gets cold enough to kill the mosquitoes.

"So unfortunately, we could have a few more months of this."

-- Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler can be reached at 813 226-3373 or svansickler@sptimes.com

[Last modified September 2, 2005, 21:42:02]