State health officials confirmed Friday that a dead crow tested positive for the disease. The bird was found about three weeks ago by a biologist at Jordan Lake in Chatham County.
The West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite infected birds before biting humans.
It is the first evidence of the disease found in the state, but the health department says residents should not worry because the virus is seldom serious in humans.
"It causes flu-like symptoms, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and a mild rash," says Dennis McBride, state health director.
Because it is late in the mosquito season, health officials will not spray pesticides in the area where the bird was found. However, they plan to test other mosquitoes for the disease.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
