Two dead blue jays from Assumption and Jackson parishes and a dead cardinal from Union Parish have pushed Louisiana’s count of West Nile virus (WNV)-positive dead birds past 30. The total number of dead birds infected with the virus is now 33, with 541 birds tested this year and 3,091 reported. The three parishes these new dead birds came from previously had no birds that tested positive for the virus.  West Nile virus specimens now have appeared in 24 parishes statewide. 

Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine’s Diagnostic Lab has been testing dead birds since March 21, the official start date of 2003 WNV surveillance.  Specimens have come from all areas of the state, implying that the disease is spreading across Louisiana