8/7/02

AU TAKING MEASURES TO PROTECT 'TIGER' FROM WEST NILE VIRUS

AUBURN -- Auburn University is taking preventive measures to protect "Tiger," its famed 24-year-old golden eagle, from mosquitos and the deadly West Nile virus.

"We are protecting all of our raptors including Tiger with a vaccine and we have put up mosquito netting around the mews," said Joe Shelnutt, director of AU's Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center. "In July we had a resident golden eagle that we had gotten from Arkansas two years ago die from it (West Nile virus).

"We have been actively researching the virus since the first cases were detected in New York three years ago."

The raptor center is participating in a monitoring program set up by the Centers for Disease Control, working with the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Diagnostic Laboratory to detect infected birds.

"Our raptor center is recognized nationally and is playing a leading role in the diagnosis and fight against West Nile virus," said Dr. Gary Beard, assistant dean of outreach at Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine. "Last year it was first to detect the virus in a bird from the Atlanta area."

Another protective measure being taken by the raptor center is the adding of mosquito larvicide to low, damp areas near the complex. The larvicide kills mosquito larva but is not harmful to birds or fish. Shelnutt added that the AU Department of Entomology is trapping and testing mosquitos for the virus.

West Nile virus is often fatal to infected raptors, which get it through mosquito bites.

"Mosquitos can transmit the virus from birds to humans and animals, primarily horses and other birds," said Dr. Jim Wright, an epidemiologist at College of Veterinary Medicine. "Even though it is unlikely that the virus can be spread from birds to humans, individuals should avoid direct contact with dead birds."

Although five people in Louisiana have died in the past few weeks from the virus, it is rarely fatal to humans. The virus mostly affects the elderly and immune-compromised people, giving them a mild infection with symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen\ lymph glands. The most serious effect is that it can cause fatal encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.

"Anyone who is aware of wild bird deaths should contact their local health department or the C.S. Roberts Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn," Wright said. "The public should take steps to decrease their risk of being bitten by mosquitos, such as eliminating standing water around their home where mosquitos breed and taking personal mosquito protection measures."

Wright says this would include installing or repairing screens, avoiding likely mosquito habitats, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitos are active and feeding, choosing clothing that provides maximum protection against biting insects and considering the use of an insect repellent.

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