West Nile Virus Returns to Iowa

Two WNV positive birds found in Iowa

Two dead birds found in two Iowa counties have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), marking a return to Iowa of the virus which killed two Iowans last year and sickened 21 others. The confirmatory testing was performed by the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory. The counties where the birds were found are Clarke (blue jay) and Linn (crow).

As of today, no humans or horses in Iowa have been confirmed with the virus this year. Since West Nile first appeared in Iowa four years ago, it's been found in every county in Iowa, either in humans, horses, or birds.

"There have been no human cases of West Nile yet in Iowa this year," said Dr. Mary Mincer Hansen, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health. "However, several of our surrounding states have reported human cases. Therefore, Iowans should be taking appropriate precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites not only for West Nile, but because of other mosquito-borne illnesses we see in the state each year."

State health officials offer the following suggestions to reduce your risk of exposure to West Nile:

• Limit outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• If you are outside, cover up as much skin as possible. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks is best.
• Use mosquito repellent on skin not covered by clothing. The most commonly available are those that contain DEET, which comes in a variety of concentrations. Also, federal approval was given this year for two other repellents (oil of lemon eucalyptus and picardin).
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites, such as standing waters in tires, plastic containers, or similar water-holding containers. Change water in bird baths every few days. Eliminate standing water on your property.

West Nile is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus while feeding on an infected bird. The illness is not spread person-to-person.

Surveillance programs were put in place many years ago by state and local public health officials, and expanded when West Nile appeared in the United States in 1999. Those programs involve the trapping and testing of mosquitoes, testing chicken flocks placed around the state, and testing dead birds (specifically crows and blue jays) sent in from around the state.

IDPH continues to offer a toll-free hotline for Iowans to receive information about West Nile. That number is 866-WNV-Iowa (1-866-968-4692).

Most humans infected by the West Nile virus have no symptoms, while a few may have symptoms such as a fever and headache. Less than one percent becomes seriously ill. Symptoms typically occur within three to 15 days after the bite of the infected mosquito. Those seriously infected, particularly the elderly, may display symptoms such as muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, and convulsions, and the illness very rarely results in death.

"While some municipal governments in Iowa do have mosquito programs, those programs can not eliminate all mosquitoes in a given area. The best protection is personal protection," said Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, Iowa state epidemiologist. "These steps will help protect you against West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases. They can also reduce your exposure to other insects such as ticks, which potentially carry Lyme Disease." Read the guidelines for insect repellent and our mosquito control guide

Since West Nile first arrived in Iowa in 2001, there have been 224 human cases resulting in 10 deaths.

Iowa Department of Public Health - Press Release -- 6/30/2005