Second Case of West Nile Virus Discovered
N. Phoenix chicken flock tests positive for virus
Lindsey Collom
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 21, 2003 12:00 AM
A flock of chickens in north Phoenix have tested positive for the West Nile
virus. The birds represent the second case found in Maricopa County this
week.
Test results were confirmed Friday and released Saturday by county Environmental
Services and Arizona Department of Health Services officials. The flock is
one of 17 strategically placed by the county and routinely checked for West
Nile.
The illness was first confirmed in Maricopa County on Wednesday, when a bird
found in Chandler tested positive for the mosquito-borne illness. Traces
of West Nile have been found in 10 of Arizona's 15 counties.
A Graham County man is the only person in the state known to have caught
the virus.
"Out of all the things for people to worry about, this is probably on the
low end of the spectrum," said Al Brown, director of Maricopa County Environmental
Services.
The virus includes symptoms of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, swollen
lymph glands and rashes on the chest, stomach or back. About one in 150 people
infected with West Nile will become severely ill.
Precautionary measures include:
• Eliminating standing water where mosquitoes are likely to breed.
• Changing water in birdbaths, planters and outdoor pet bowls at least twice
a week.
• Repairing leaky outdoor faucets.
• Wearing insect repellant containing DEET and wearing long clothing outside.