We here at Wallyhood don’t think we’ve been doing our fair bit to sew fear and panic in the quiet hamlet of Wallingford recently. Today, we shall right this wrong.
For the past couple of weeks, the Wallyhoods have remarked on the large number of dead crows we’ve noticed around our neighborhood, four spotted in one day. Then, we saw this story, West Nile virus found in Seattle neighborhood, in the Seattle PI’s Big Blog:
The local health department says that a dead crow found in Seattle’s Laurelhurst neighborhood has tested positive for West Nile virus.
It’s the first finding of West Nile virus in King County this year, and health officials said it underscores that people here are at risk of contracting the virus.
“There are still mosquitoes outdoors during the cooler fall months, so protect yourself against mosquito bites,” said Dr. Sharon Hopkins, Public health veterinarian for Public Health – Seattle & King County, in news release. “The risk of contracting West Nile virus is not yet over for this season.” …
Mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds spread West Nile virus to people. The virus can cause serious illness, especially in older adults.
Ah, but maybe there’s no connection. Maybe they just test dead crows to look for the virus as a way to sample the population, but the presence of many dead crows around our house doesn’t mean there is an increased chance of West Nile in Wallingford.
Then, we found this Department of Health page regarding West Nile Virus and reporting dead birds, which said, in part:
Because crows are an especially good indicator of West Nile virus, it is critical to report all dead crows.
Crap.
You can report dead birds by calling 206-205-4394 or online.
I’ve seen more dead crows than mosquitoes in Wallingford in the three years I’ve been here. I’m not terribly worried.
Sorry, I should have added: Mrs. Wallyhood got bit 6 times by mosquitoes last night and Baby Z has a big bite on his little button nose.