Birds in Delaware test positive for West Nile Virus

First it was the mosquitoes in Burlington and Chester counties. Now West Nile Virus has been detected in Delaware.

Crows in Wilmington and Newark brought to the Tri-State Bird Rescue in Newark over the weekend were carrying the mosquito-borne disease.

“The Mosquito Control Section has responded to these two West Nile virus-positive bird results by increasing our mosquito population surveillance-and-monitoring activities in northern New Castle County, and we will take appropriate follow-up mosquito control actions as warranted,” reads a statement from Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Mosquito Control Section Administrator Dr. William Meredith.

Birds brought into the Rescue and treated an isolated with the hope of survival. These two crows were too sick.

West Nile has been found every year in Delaware since 2001, but residents are advised to act with caution to prevent mosquito contact. Dead or sick birds can be reported to Mosquito Control on weekdays at the Glasgow Office, serving New Castle and northern Kent counties, at 302-836-2555, or the Milford Office, serving Sussex and southern Kent counties, at 302-422-1512.