The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is reporting two dead crows have tested positive for West Nile Virus, a month earlier than the virus was detected last year. The crows were found by residents in Altoona and Eau Claire the last week of June had died from the virus.
Although the chance for humans to become ill from the virus is minimal, officials are still asking residents to protect themselves.
"July, August, and even into September are your high risk time periods for possibly being infected with West Nile Virus, so it's good for folks to be aware of that and to take precautions to try and reduce the risk," says Darryll Farmer, the Environmental Health Director.
The virus is spread by mosquitoes.
Some precautions include wearing long, loose-fitting clothing and using insect repellent that contains DEET when outside, and eliminating standing water found around the yard.
