North Carolina’s State Public Health Laboratory reported Oct. 9 that West Nile virus (WNV) has been found in two horses in the state. The infected horses were in Hyde County and Camden County (and are not confirmed at national level yet).

North Carolina residents can help reduce the health risk from WNV by reporting dead or dying birds to public health officials. Birds reported should not have been dead for more than 48 hours and should be reported to the local health department. Birds can also be reported to the Public Health Pest Management Section at 877/790-1747 or via e-mail at NCWNV@NCmail.net. More information on reporting birds and an online form for reporting dead birds is also available at https://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/pages/WNV_Alert/wnv_alert.html.