Crow with West Niles virus found in Saugus

By Stephen Smith, Globe Staff

For the first time this summer, a bird infected with West Nile virus has been discovered in Massachusetts, state health authorities reported today. The crow was found in Saugus.

The Department of Public Health began testing birds for West Nile on May 15 and has since tested 116 birds

The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and first appeared in the United States in 1999, in New York. Since then, it has spread across the nation, infecting thousands of people and killing hundreds. Last year, 3,000 people were diagnosed in the United States with West Nile, and 119 died.

In Massachusetts in 2005, six people contracted the virus, with one death.

To avoid being exposed to the virus, the Department of Public Health recommends measures to avoid contact with mosquitoes. Those include draining standing water, wearing bug repellant, and avoiding outdoor activity at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

•  Previous Entry
• Next Entry 

MOST E-MAILED

1. At Lexington, 'a pretty spectacular group'
2. My lazy American students
3. Reversing trend, more are coming to Mass. than leaving it
4. Four Year plan
5. Coakley rejects one-on-one debate with Brown
6. Samaritan rescues JP woman from attack
7. Knee surgery shelves Pierce