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West Nile
Virus Hits Georgia
As many of
you probably know, the West Nile Virus has been positively identified
in dead birds in Georgia. From one crow near the Georgia/Florida border,
to the recent shocking finding of a debilitated Cooper's Hawk in the
middle of the metropolitan Atlanta area in DeKalb County.
Yesterday,
July 27, 2001, several dead birds were found that tested positively
for the West Nile Virus in Piedmont Park, a large downtown Atlanta
park.
Scientists
have watched the progression of this dramatic disease down the east
coast of the United States from New York to Virginia to Florida,
and now Georgia. The disease appears to be following the migratory
pattern of certain birds. For awhile it was thought that the disease
had hopscotched over Georgia. Unfortunately, it did not.
Scientists
are working diligently and painstakingly in tracking the disease,
studying the mosquitoes that carry it, and the devastating results
as infected mosquitoes pass the WNV along to birds and animals,
as well as some humans. It will probably be only a matter of time
before this imported disease finds its way across our country. We
can help by following all of the advice of the scientists researching
this virus.
As citizens,
we can remove any standing water on our property where mosquitoes
may breed. If you are in outdoor areas where the possibility of
mosquitoes are present, wear long sleeved clothing and plenty of
insect repellent with a high content of DEET for adults, but not
for children. Off's Deep Woods, insect repellent contains one of
the highest amounts of DEET.
For more
information and an update on the current outbreak of West Nile Virus,
the following web sites offer excellent information:
In the metro
Atlanta area in DeKalb County, where the Cooper's Hawk was recently
found, the county has a site with a link where citizens in the area
can report dead birds on line. The latest news states that they
are mainly interested in dead crows, bluejays and birds of prey,
probably because those birds are the most likely to have died from
the virus. Although these birds seem to be extremely susceptible,
we are saddened by the loss of a variety of birds such as mockingbirds,
robins, and sparrows. For an update on this devastating virus, go
to:
http://www.dekalbhealth.net
(Click on the appropriate links to the West Nile Virus page.)
Center
for Disease Control - Nile info
To learn
more about the Cooper's Hawk and other raptors, go to
http://www.wildlifeinfo.org/wildlife.htm
Support
our wildlife,
Marci
Writings by Marci:
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