Why are birds being tested (especially blue jays and crows) for WNv?
They appear to be highly sensitive to the virus and provide a barometer for us to detect WNv activity in your community. Knowledge of positive birds in your area allows mosquito control agencies to perform more targeted surveillance and control activities. If I live in an area with positive birds and mosquitoes will I get WNv? It is highly unlikely. Even in areas where mosquitoes do carry the virus very few mosquitoes are infected (less than 1%). If the mosquito is infected, less than 1% of people who get bitten and become infected will get severely ill. The chances that you will become severely ill from one mosquito bite are extremely small.
