DeKALB – The DeKalb County Health Department confirmed a crow collected May 22 in DeKalb tested positive for West Nile virus, the first confirmation of the disease in the county this year.

“Although it is a little earlier in the season than we normally find West Nile virus positive birds, it is not unheard of,” DeKalb County Public Health Administrator Jane Lux said. “This is a good reminder, as we head into summer and more people spend time outdoors, that it is important to protect yourself and wear insect repellent.”

Monitoring for West Nile in Illinois includes laboratory tests on mosquito batches, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds, as well as testing sick horses and humans with West Nile-like symptoms. People who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird will be tested.