By Staff
Virus is found in area birds, horse
By LISA TINDELL, Managing editor
West Nile Virus (WNV) has been confirmed to be present in our county according to tests conducted Monday.
According to Ricky Elliott, environmentalist with the Escambia County Health Department, two crows were tested Monday with one being found to have WNV. The crow was found on Highway 29 near the Covington County line.
According to Elliott, the mosquito-borne disease has become an area of great concern for people in this area. Extra precautions should be taken to protect your area.
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, Elliott said. There are products available to help keep the eggs laid by mosquitoes from hatching, he said.
The city and county is also spraying for mosquitoes, according to Elliott. This should help to eliminate some of the problems with the mosquito population, he said.
Elliott said there is no way to tell if you have been bitten by a mosquito carrying the WNV.