Delaware is reporting its first cases of West Nile Virus for 2018 in a pair of wild birds.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) says two crows have tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease.
The first was found in southwest Sussex County June 29th. The other one was also found in Sussex County four days later.
It’s a bit earlier than usual for West Nile to show up in the First State. DNREC says the peak season for West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases is mid-August to mid-October. And usually the first cases are found in the the northern part of the state.
DNREC officials say a rainy spring, especially in Southern Delaware could be the reason for the early arrival of West Nile and its initial presence is Susssex. It caused a surge in the mosquito population this year, particuarly downstate.
The state has sprayed to address the issue and believes it has knocked the popuation down, but DNREC will continue use sentinel chickens and other monitoring methods to track West Nile and the mosquito population.
