Wild Side

Tips from Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA wildlife supervisor Rebecca Allen

Rebecca Allen answers questions about living with wildlife. E-mail her at rallen@PeninsulaHumaneSociety.org or call 340-7022, ext. 340.

Q. I've seen a lot of stories in the media about the West Nile virus. Should I be concerned? What should I do if I find a dead bird I think might be infected? A. West Nile virus is related to encephalitis, which can infect birds as well as humans. It is spread by mosquitoes, which feed on infected birds and then transmit the virus to other birds as well as people. Symptoms include fever, rash and headache, though only one in five people infected with the virus will develop any symptoms. The best way to prevent the spread of this disease is to control the mosquito population around your home. The San Mateo Mosquito Abatement District has more information on both the disease and its prevention on its Web site at http://www.smcmad.org. If you find a bird you think might be infected, call the California Department of Health Services West Nile Virus hotline at 1-877-968-2473. For more information, check www.PeninsulaHumaneSociety.org. The PHS/SPCA Wildlife Care Center sees 4,000-5,000 native wildlife "patients" each year. The center's work depends on volunteers and donor contributions.

Wild Side <I>Tips from Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA wildlife supervisor Rebecca Allen</I> Rebecca Allen answers questions about living with wildlife. E-mail her at rallen@PeninsulaHumaneSociety.org or call 340-7022, ext. 340. Q. I've seen a lot of stories in the media about the West Nile virus. Should I be concerned? What should I do if I find a dead bird I think might be infected? A. West Nile virus is related to encephalitis, which can infect birds as well as humans. It is spread by mosquitoes, which feed on infected birds and then transmit the virus to other birds as well as people. Symptoms include fever, rash and headache, though only one in five people infected with the virus will develop any symptoms. The best way to prevent the spread of this disease is to control the mosquito population around your home. The San Mateo Mosquito Abatement District has more information on both the disease and its prevention on its Web site at http://www.smcmad.org. If you find a bird you think might be infected, call the California Department of Health Services West Nile Virus hotline at 1-877-968-2473. For more information, check www.PeninsulaHumaneSociety.org. The PHS/SPCA Wildlife Care Center sees 4,000-5,000 native wildlife "patients" each year. The center's work depends on volunteers and donor contributions. <p></P> (March 30, 2005)

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