A chicken in Theodore tested by the Mobile County Health Department tested positive for the West Nile Virus, the agency said in a press release Friday.

Sentinel chicken flocks are used across the country to help detect the presence of mosquito-borne viruses. Researchers take weekly blood samples, and if a chicken tests positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV) or another illness carried by mosquitoes, medical, veterinary and mosquito control professionals can take action.

The coop with the WNV-positive chicken is located in the 36582 ZIP code area.

The county has responded to the positive test by increased mosquito spraying, conducting door-to-door surveys in nearby areas and attempting to trap adult mosquitoes to test them for WNV.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people infected with the virus do not feel ill — about 1 in 5 infected people have symptoms, and about 1 in 150 develop serious illness.

If symptoms do develop, they include high fever, severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, paralysis, disorientation and seizures that are severe enough to require medical attention.

WNV is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds to humans and horses, although the disease cannot be spread by humans or horses. Birds cannot spread the disease directly to humans.

There is no vaccine available for humans.

Exposure to WNV by mosquitoes may be reduced by some prevention tips, according to the health department. These methods include:

• Using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered repellent with DEET.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Staying and sleeping in places with air conditioning or window and door screens.
• Removing standing water around your home.

The Mobile County Health Department instructs those who want to report a mosquito issue to call Vector Services at 251-690-8124. To learn more about the department, visit their website.