That elusive and newsmaking entity known as West Nile virus is back again in Upstate New York, this time surfacing in two mosquito pools tested by the Onondaga County Health Department. While no cases of human infection have been reported, state officials are still taking precautions prevent further spread of the virus.

‘The threat of West Nile builds as we move through the summer and peaks at this time of year,’ said Gary Sauda, director of environmental health for the Onondaga County Health Department.

Of the two pools that tested positive for the virus, one was located in the city of Syracuse, the other in the town of Salina.

Human infection can result from contact with dead birds. While the Environmental Safety Department at Syracuse University declined to be interviewed, the Department of Public Safety outlined a university policy regarding dead birds on campus.

‘If you come across any dead animal, you should leave it alone and call [Public Safety].’ said Lt. John Sardino, ‘We maintain the area until Environmental Safety can get to the scene.’

Sardino noted that reports of dead animals usually come in waves, at an average rate of one to two each week at most.

Student body awareness of the disease fits in with the Onondaga County Health Department’s four-step prevention process, which consists of surveillance, control, public education and municipal response. Officials are routinely testing four samples of dead birds a week in accordance with state law, with a focus on crows, blue jays, seagulls and raptors, all of which are known to be carriers of the disease.

‘I’d never touch a dead bird, especially because I don’t want to get West Nile,’ said Tess Stimmel, a freshman fashion design major.

If students encounter a dead bird or have any other reason to think that they may have come in contact with the disease, they can contact the Department of Public Safety anytime by dialing 711 from any campus phone.

Published on September 2, 2003 at 12:00 pm