The Arkansas Department of Health and the Livestock and Poultry Commission have reported that one dead Blue Jay in Union County has tested positive at the USGS National Wildlife Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the first time that the disease has been identified in Arkansas

Mosquitoes transmit West Nile Virus directly to humans, horses and other animals after feeding on diseased birds which are the host animals. When mosquitoes feed on a bird or mammal, they may pick up the virus along with the blood meal. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The Arkansas Department of Health is continuing its surveillance for mosquito-borne viruses in Arkansas and is testing dead birds and mosquitoes for WNV. Horses and other animals are also tested for WNV if they show signs of encephalitis.

Dr. Tom McChesney, state epidemiologist, says, “Arkansans should report dead crows and Blue Jays to the local health unit, so that pick-up or delivery and testing of dead birds can be arranged. Folks in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state are encouraged to be especially alert to this problem, since Memphis is reporting West Nile in birds and we now have a confirmed positive bird in El Dorado