West Nile Virus

The State of Michigan continues to monitor the spread of the West Nile virus. This mosquito-borne virus tends to kill infected birds, particularly crows and blue jays, and can cause inflammation of the nervous system in humans and horses. 

The West Nile virus is new to North American where it had never been seen before 1999. The virus has been detected in counties in southern Michigan, but has yet to be found in northern lower Michigan or the Upper Peninsula.  Public Health, Delta and Menominee Counties, however, has heard reports of local dead crows. 

If you see a dead crow or blue jay, it should be reported to the West Nile hotline at 1-888-668-0869, or at the Michigan Crow Mortality Surveillance Work Site located at www.michigan.gov/westnilevirus.  Additional information on the West Nile virus can be found on the Centers for Disease Control web site at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm. Public Health, Delta and Menominee Counties, also has Dead Bird Submission Kits available. For more information call the Escanaba office at 786-4111 or the Menominee office at 863-4451.