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Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002
Posted by: barbara ray (brayowc@earthlink.net)

In Ohio, where WNV reared up big time in raptors especially from July-early October, it was difficult to even keep the "professionals" (the rehabbers and veterinarians treating sick and dying animals, mostly birds) from "over-reacting, but then most centers lost an average of 2 of their permanent collection raptors and some zoos lost much higher averages than that. Many citizens found sick or dead birds throughout their neighborhoods and even rural folks were bringing in birds, which is less typical in "normal" years.

The media basically seemes to do a good job here giving out information from the CDC and not making this disease a disproportionate item. In fact, most printed articles reminded people of the 20,000+ people that die from influenza each year compared to the small number of fatalities from WNV.

In talking to people from all over the state, most folks involved with widllife conservation are mostly concerned with WNV effect longterm in endangered and species of concern such as the bald eagle and peregrine population. Horse owners have settled down quite a bit now that they are more aware of the initial symptoms, as horses are VERY treatable if treatment begins right away and the horse is not suffering from another problem more detrimental than the WNV. The vaccine of course has also been used on thousands of horses in Ohio.

WNV is clearly epizootic in birds here in Ohio and is perceived as fairly low-risk to humans and the public seems satisfied they have been given information how to reduce mosquito breeding areas, protect themselves from bites etc.; some communities spray and larvicide though many folks are of the opinion that the chemical risks may be worse than WNV! We still have a LOT more educating to do and this is a slow process as getting answers to the many yet-unanswered questions trickle in!

Barbara Ray
Conservation/Education Director
Ohio Wildlife Center
Columbus, Ohio
614-734-9453

On Mon, 28 Oct 2002 08:44:41 -0600 LINN HARAMIS (LHARAMIS@idph.state.il.us) wrote:

One comment about relative risk:

IMO, WNV is more "fear-inducing" to the public than SLE. One factor is that one does not find dead animals in one's front yard (or a sick horse in the stable) with SLE. (I personally found 2 dead crows near my home in central IL.) Unless there are human cases, SLE can cycle along in the wild bird population without the public being aware of it.

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