Virginia’s Commissioner of Health E. Anne Peterson, MD, MPH, announced Tuesday, July 24, that a dead crow found in Alexandria has been confirmed as having West Nile virus. The crow is the first bird to test positive for West Nile virus in the state of Virginia this year.

“State and local governments will continue to collaborate and monitor the situation to protect the public’s health. We expect to find positive crows in Virginia this year, which is why we are working hard to increase surveillance and inform citizens. We want to remind citizens that they can reduce their risk by preventing mosquitoes from breeding around the home and protecting themselves from mosquito bites,” Dr. Peterson said.

The crow testing positive for West Nile virus was found on East Glebe Road in Alexandria, Virginia on Sun 15 Jul 2001. The crow tested positive and was confirmed by the state’s Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in Richmond on Mon 23 Jul 2001. To date, 458 birds in Virginia have tested negative for West Nile virus. In all 23 birds from Alexandria have tested negative this year. Last year 7 crows tested positive for West Nile virus in Virginia.

Citizens should continue to report all dead birds to their local health departments. Only certain crows, blue jays, and raptors will be tested for West Nile virus, because those bird species are the best early indicators of virus activity in an area. West Nile virus is spread to birds, humans, horses, and other mammals through the bite of an infected mosquito