West Nile virus detected in crow on MDI

BAR HARBOR — According to Bar Harbor’s Health Officer Mike Gurtler, the town “has received notification from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention that they have recently identified a case of West Nile virus in a crow from Bar Harbor.”

Gurtler said he was notified by the Maine CDC on Monday morning, Aug. 19. He does not know when the infected crow was examined. There is currently no further information about the crow’s location when it died.

The virus does not present with symptoms in most people. Eight out of 10 of those infected with the virus have no symptoms. Some will suffer from a “headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash,” according to the CDC. “Most people with febrile illness due to West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.”

For every 150 people who are infected, one will develop a more severe illness that impacts their central nervous system.

According to the federal CDC, “Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis.”

“Nearly all cases occur between July and October, and the first human infections and deaths of the year have already been reported. That isn’t cause to panic—but it is reason to take precautions against the virus,” wrote Scientific American on Aug.12.

Bar Harbor is not alone

In late July, Maine CDC announced that six wild birds tested positive for West Nile Virus. It was the earliest in the season that the agency had located the mosquito-borne virus in wild birds. They were found in multiple towns, including five crows from Bangor, Bridgton, Fryeburg, Parsonsfield, and Sidney and a hawk from Yarmouth.

According to its release at the time, “The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife collected the birds as part of routine surveillance.”

The last human case of the virus in Maine was 2018.

According to that same press release, “in 2023, three animals and one mosquito pool tested positive for WNV in Maine.”

“While West Nile and other viruses carried by mosquitoes are rare, they can cause serious illness,” said Maine CDC Director Puthiery Va. “It’s important that Maine people and visitors take precautions against bites, especially as these viruses are appearing earlier than usual this year. As you enjoy the Maine outdoors, protect yourself with simple steps and speak to your health provider promptly if you experience any symptoms.”

The virus spreads via mosquito bites when that mosquito is infected. It is not transmitted from animal to human or from human to human.

According to the CDC, “Cases of West Nile have been reported in states across the continental United States. West Nile virus activity typically occurs during the summer months and into the fall. The annual number of reported West Nile cases can fluctuate widely, as a result of periodic epidemics. All residents of and visitors to areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk for infection, particularly people who work or participate in recreational activities outdoors.”

State and local health departments report to CDC through ArboNET.

“In addition to human disease, ArboNET maintains data on arboviral infections among presumptive viremic blood donors, veterinary disease cases, mosquitoes, dead birds, and sentinel animals,” the CDC states .

This story was originally published by The Bar Harbor Story . To receive regular coverage from the Bar Harbor Story, sign up for a free subscription here .