A dead crow found in Seattle’s Laurelhurst neighborhood on August 24 tested positive for West Nile virus. It is the first West Nile positive finding in King County in 2009, and confirms that people are at risk for contracting West Nile virus this year in King County.

“There are still mosquitoes outdoors during the cooler fall months, so protect yourself against mosquito bites,” said Dr. Sharon Hopkins, Public Health veterinarian for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “The risk of contracting West Nile virus is not yet over for this season.”

The bird found August 24 means that King County’s first positive surveillance findings come several weeks earlier in the season than last year, when Public Health found a positive bird on September 15. This means that there is a longer period this year with risk of West Nile virus transmission to humans.

While testing of dead birds will end in mid-October, King County residents are asked to report dead birds year-round by calling Public Health at 206-205-4394 or by reporting on-line at www.kingcounty.gov/health/westnile.