Antigo Daily Journal
Tuesday, August 27, 2002

A crow found near death in downtown Antigo has tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

Marge Gibson, executive director of the Raptor Education Group Inc., said that tests on the bird came back positive for West Nile Virus early today, marking the first time the disease has been formally identified in Langlade County.

The crow was brought to Gibson’s center on August 17 with coordination problems and convulsions and died later the same day. “The symptoms were classic for West Nile Virus,” Gibson said.

Blood tests have also been sent out on other patients, including a red-tailed hawk, bald eagles, and a great-horned owl from Bryant suspected of having the virus. Those birds stand a chance of recovery, Gibson said.

“We have received many calls from concerned citizens,” Gibson said. “Birds are victims in this virus just as people are.”

Holly Matucheski of the Langlade County Health Department said the news doesn’t come as a surprise. “It was just reported in Portage County and it was coming our way,” she said, adding that people should take precautions against mosquitoes but not become unduly alarmed.

The disease may also be found soon in northwoods horses. On Monday, the Dane County Division of Public Health said a horse has tested positive for the West Nile Virus and is now recuperating. Officials had said earlier that a horse in Washington County and another in Pepin County had likely died due to the virus, and one in Fond du Lac County was euthanized after testing positive for it.

Veterinarians across the state are advising horse owners to vaccinate their animals against the virus. The vaccines, which area vets called effective, include on immunization plus a booster three to six weeks later. Both must be administered to be fully effective and an annual booster is also required.

“There is a vaccine against West Nile virus available for horses, and horse owners should contact their veterinarians for more information about how to protect their animals,” said Garreth Johnson, Dane County Division of Public Health administrator.

“Unfortunately, there is not a vaccine for humans, so we need to take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes that may be carrying West Nile.

Two Wisconsin residents were officially diagnosed with West Nile virus last week – a 23 year old woman from Winnebago County and an 83 year old resident of Adams County.

So far this year, more than 370 human cases of West Nile have been confirmed in the country’s worst outbreak since the virus first appeared in 1999.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be transmitted from person to person. People over the age of 50 are at increased risk for developing severe disease. Only a small fraction of individuals bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus will become ill. A much smaller fraction of these people will become severely ill or require hospitalization.

Gibson stressed that the disease is not contagious and can only be contracted when bitten by an infected mosquito. “There’s no evidence West Nile Virus can be contracted through birds or other people,” she said. “The Centers for Disease Control has been specific that this virus is passed only by mosquitoes.”

Raptor Group Tries to Inject Optimism in West Nile Virus Battle

Antigo Daily Journal
August 27, 2002

In the gloom and growing concern over the West Nile Virus, Raptor Education Group Inc. of Antigo is trying to inject some light and optimism.

As the center battles the disease, and works to protect its well-known flock of education birds from the mosquitoes that carry the virus, several very ill patients are beginning to show signs of recovery.

If it happens, that could point the wait toward effective treatment and vaccines.

“So far, they haven’t had much luck with any birds recovering,” Marge Gibson, director of the center, said. “If these birds recover, hopefully they can help create a vaccine.”

These birds are showing some signs of improvement. They include an immature bald eagle found near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, a red-tailed hawk found nearly dead in Wood County, and a great-horned owl rescued near Highway 52 at Bryant.

In the absence of a known treatment, the center is treating the symptoms – fever, convulsions, and weight loss – and keeping the birds hydrated, fed, warm, and quiet.

“I think these are going to recover,” Gibson said.

But the disease could decimate the wild bird population and threatens Gibson’s education birds as well.

“It’s really frightening,” Gibson said. “I had a friend in Cincinnati who lost ten education birds. WE have to take huge precautions to make sure our education birds are safe, and a lot of people known these birds.”

The disease seems to hit immature, immune-suppressed, and older birds the most. “It could effectively wipe out a whole class of birds,” Gibson said.

The work is draining, from an emotional and financial viewpoint. “It’s a huge financial drain right now. Most people don’t realize that we do not get any state or federal money,” Gibson said. “We really can’t do it much longer.”

Volunteers and supplies are also always needed. For more information on donating money, time, and support, contact REGI at P.O. Box 481, Antigo, WI, 54409, or call 623-4015.