DECATUR - Macon County Health Department officials say the concern about West Nile virus among Central Illinois residents is growing.

Recent positive tests of the virus in a bird and mosquitoes have brought the issue to people's attention. Yet many are unaware of the proper steps to take if they come across a dead bird that might have contracted the virus.

West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquitoes that contract the virus after biting an infected bird. A dead crow tested positive for the virus July 14, the only bird in Macon County to date. Two batches of mosquitoes have tested positive, but no human cases have been found.

The closest states with human cases of West Nile are Missouri and Iowa, said Diane Johner, director of health promotion for the Macon County Health Department. However, department officials continue to warn residents to take precautions against the virus, including being aware of dead birds.

Officials urge people to call the health department regardless of the type of dead bird that is found. Robins, blue jays and crows are the only birds that can be tested, but the department keeps a log of all other birds and where they were found.

"It gives us a heads-up, and we can patrol an area to find possible problem areas, like stagnate water from a bird bath or a pool that hasn't been opened yet, (places that mosquitoes might breed)," said Kathy Wade, laboratory director and environmental health practitioner for the department.

Johner said confusion about West Nile virus and avian bird influenza is becoming common.

"West Nile is not the bird flu," she said. "When we ask people to give us a call, we're using it for the surveillance of the West Nile virus in Macon County."

The state allows Macon County to collect 10 birds each season from May 1 to Oct. 15 to test for the virus, Wade said. The health department looks for "fresh" samples: birds that have recently died, have no bugs on them and still have eyes.

After calling the health department, Wade said residents should turn a plastic bag inside out to pick up the dead bird or wear gloves to handle it. In the case that the bird is a robin, crow or blue jay, the bird should be left alone so the health department can decide if it is a candidate for testing.

"You should not use Ziploc bags. If you zip it, it becomes an oven and that speeds up the decomposition process," Wade said. "Wash your hands with antibacterial soap after handling the bird and don't bring it inside to the kitchen; throw it away outside (after reporting it to the health department)."

According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 150 people infected with the virus will develop severe illness. The symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Symptoms usually develop within three to 14 days after contracting the virus, although about 80 percent of people who are infected show no symptoms.

"Prevention is one of the most important things people can take an active role in," Johner said.

Some methods to prevent the spread of West Nile include making sure screens and doors are tightly affixed, avoiding outside activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and eliminating standing water, where mosquitoes tend to breed. Bird baths and wading pools don't present a risk if the water in them is changed every five to seven days, Johner said.

Residents should be aware of the risks involving the virus but not let it affect everyday life, Wade said.

"So many people are really scared. We want them to know they should be concerned but not terrified of stepping out of their front door," she said.

To report a dead bird, call the Macon County Health Department at 423-6988, ext. 1134. For questions or information about West Nile virus, call Kathy Wade at 423-6988, ext. 1123.

Identifying the main carriers of West Nile

Adult crows are about 17 to 21 inches in length, while juvenile crows are about 10 inches in length, or about the length of a person's forearm. Crows are all black, including feathers, beak, legs and feet. The crow's nostrils are covered with bristles.

Blue jays are 10-inches long and have a black, sturdy bill and blue crest. They have a grayish-white throat and chest and black coloring around the eyes. The wings are bright blue, with black bars and white patches. Blue jays have dark legs and a long blue tail with black bars and white corners.

Adult robins are usually 8- to 11-inches long. Their backs and wings are gray. They have red or orange chests and a dark head, with white crescents around the eyes.

Source: Illinois Department of Public Health

Courtney Klemm can be reached at cklemm@herald-review.com or 421-6968.