Throughout the summer, we may see a few Corvid type of birds get sick and die.  Please contact our Animal Services Department at 970-328-3647, if you see a dead Corvid and they'll be happy to collect them for WNV testing early in the season.  Only the Corvid birds, horses and human beings appear to get sick from WNV.  Horses can be vaccinated so call your vet!

In addition to our extensive educational outreach  Fight the Bite campaign, the County Commissioners have hired OtterTail Environmental, Inc. to spend the summer in the field mapping mosquito habitat, checking for Culex mosquito larvae (the only mosquito known to transmit the virus in Colorado), applying larval control products to reduce the number of Culex mosquitoes (should we find any) and setting several adult mosquito traps to see if infected Culex mosquitoes are around which may require further abatement action.

Eagle County has developed partnerships with municipalities and special districts who may be conducting their own WNV activities.  If you live within a municipality or special district, you may want to check with your town governments.  Special event coordinators, golf courses, recreation districts, outfitters and others are encouraged to make DEET towelettes available to their customers for convenience.

History

West Nile Virus first hit the United States in 1999 in New York.  It has been working its way across the country and peaked in 2003, especially in Colorado.  We've prepared an interesting slide show so you can learn even more.