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Authorities have indicated that a higher number of cases of virus than usual had been observed, probably due to the increase in the number of mosquitoes caused by wetter weather.
An emaciated falcon sits on the floor, lethargic, does not fly when approached, his head held at an odd angle.
Carol Holmgren, Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist, said that someone who saw a bird with such symptoms should know that he might have West Nile virus, like many patients admitted to the Rehabilitation Center and of Tamarack Education in Saegertown.
"We are inundated with patients with symptoms of West Nile virus," said Holmgren. "All the rehabilitators I know in our state, as well as in neighboring states, are also facing the same situation.
"It's certainly the worst year for the West Nile virus since it hit Pennsylvania," she said.
West Nile virus, a disease that can cause brain inflammation, was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2000, according to the West Nile virus control program in Pennsylvania.
Wildlife rehabilitation officials, as well as health, environment and game officials say that West Nile virus cases among birds in Pennsylvania have had a bad year. The number of birds higher than usual suffering from West Nile is probably due to the presence of more mosquitoes. According to the US Center for Disease Prevention and Control, birds and humans can catch West Nile through the bite of infected mosquitoes and mosquitoes can be infected by pricking birds carrying the virus.
While the CDC says no one can be infected by handling live or dead infected birds, Environmental Protection Department spokesman Neil Shader said more people birds and mosquitoes with the West Nile.
On Monday, Shader said that 21 cases of West Nile virus had been identified in humans in Pennsylvania this year, which is higher than usual. None were in Erie County. Karen Tobin, Erie County coordinator for the West Nile virus program, said that no human cases have been recorded here this year since Wednesday. Nine people have been tested positive for the virus in Erie County since 2000, the most recent in 2015, according to information provided by Tobin.
According to the CDC, about 80% of people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms, while up to 20% have flu-like symptoms. About one in 150 will be seriously ill.
Like humans, some bird species show no symptoms and others, like crows, can become very sick of West Nile, said Justin Brown, veterinary veterinarian of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Tobin said that four birds and 18 batches of mosquitoes in Erie County had been tested positive for West Nile from Wednesday. While there were more mosquitoes than the two or more lots in recent years, it was still below the peaks of 40 lots in 2012 and 49 in 2002. These years also recorded a higher number of positive birds, respectively 15 and 16.
On Wednesday, Tamarack had treated 49 suspected cases of West Nile virus in birds this year, Holmgren said. In the first nine months of 2017, she had only 13 suspected cases in the center.
Crows, jays and crows are the most susceptible to the disease, but Holcgren, Shader and Brown have reported that predatory birds, such as owls and hawks, have also invaded West Nile this year.
Brown said the Gaming Commission was also beginning to examine the effects of West Nile virus on the ruffed grouse population of Pennsylvania, the state bird. He said that the population is not doing well and that West Nile could be one of the reasons.
This year, at Tamarack, no ruffed grouse were allowed with West Nile virus, but Holmgren nursed nine American crows, which she says "do not pass often", with 24 red-tailed hawks , six falcons with red epaulettes. five broad-winged hawks and five great-horned owls. Survival depends on the species and the extent to which symptoms have progressed before the birds reach Tamarack.
"It really hits our birds this year," she said.
Holmgren had six patients in the USI from his center who were undergoing treatment for West Nile symptoms this week. She said that all patients who have symptoms are not tested for West Nile virus because of the cost of the tests and that the treatment is based on the symptoms and not on the cause.
West Nile virus can cause swelling of the brain and convulsions in birds, she added.
"Often, our patients have not been able to hunt for a while, so they have extremely low weight," Holmgren said.
The center works to treat the individual symptoms of each bird while it is recovering from the disease, she said. Officials at Tamarack ensure, for example, that a red-tailed hawk is ready to hunt by giving him an eye exam before his release.
Patients did not arrive at Tamarack from any particular area. The two counties of Erie and Crawford were listed as "high risk" on the hot zones page of the West Nile Virus Program website in Pennsylvania when it was last updated to the mid August. The program is a cooperative effort of the State Departments of Environmental Protection, Health and Agriculture.
Shader, from DEP, said areas that have been inundated by heavy rains this summer, particularly in the northeastern part of the state, have been more exposed to mosquito populations. Tobin said that Erie County had been fortunate to have some dry spells.
"The climate is the main driver of mosquito populations," said Shader. "The wetter weather, as we did this year, means more mosquitoes and more mosquitoes mean more West Nile virus."
An article on the Skye Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Facebook page in Venango County suggests that the decline of bats may also be to blame. According to his Facebook posts, Skye's Spirit treats many cases of birds with West Nile virus. An article said that "this year's cases are really bad". Skye & # 39; s Spirit officials could not be reached for comment.
Holmgren also wondered if a decrease in the number of bats, which eat mosquitoes, could be related to the increase in West Nile. "It certainly can be a player," she said.
She, Shader, Tobin and Brown said efforts can be made to protect themselves and birds from West Nile Virus, starting with eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and exposing them.
The mosquito season is usually from April to October, according to the website of the West Nile Virus Control Program.
"Get rid of stagnant water around the house where mosquitoes can lay flowerpots, bird baths, storage bins, any place where water can get dry." accumulate, "said Shader. "It is also important to wear an insect repellent outdoors, at dusk, when these mosquitoes are active."
Holmgren also said that centers that treat birds with symptoms of West Nile virus appreciate cash donations.
"It's discouraging to see the effect of this disease," she said.
Dana Massing can be reached at 870-1729 or by email. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ETNmassing.
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