The West Nile Virus has been detected in a blue jay in Barry County near Fair Lake, in Barry Township. The blue jay was confirmed to be infected with the virus by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) on Wednesday, September 19, 2001.

Public health surveillance has not detected any cases of West Nile virus in humans in Michigan. MDCH continues to work closely with physicians, infection control practitioners, hospital epidemiologists, laboratory directors and local health departments to identify possible cases of human disease in Michigan.

Residents in Eaton County who find a dead crow or blue jay should contact the Health Department at (517) 541-2615 or (517) 485-7110, Ext 615, or report them to the state’s West Nile Virus toll-free hotline at 1-888-668-0869. Only black crow and blue jay specimens should be submitted for testing; decomposed or mutilated birds should not be submitted.

In Barry County, dead birds will not be accepted for testing as West Nile has already been detected in the county and there is no need to continue surveillance of dead birds.

Residents are urged to use precautions when handling dead birds. Avoid barehanded contact and use disposable gloves to put the dead crow or blue jay in a double plastic bag. If gloves are not available, turn a plastic shopping bag inside out and scoop up the bird with the bag.

The Barry Eaton District Health Department has participated in a mosquito-monitoring program for the last several years and will continue to monitor for West Nile Virus next season.

For more information on West Nile Virus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) web sites.