Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Great Horned Owl

Photos / Blue Ridge Wildlife Center

Possible West Nile Virus Case

We see many cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) each summer in corvids (crows/ravens) and raptors and this year is no exception. This Great Horned Owl was found unable to fly and was rescued by Kristi’s Caring Hands Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education, then brought to our hospital for evaluation. Given his mental status and signs, we suspect this may be due to WNV and diagnostics are currently pending.

WNV is a mosquito-borne disease that impacts humans and horses too. Luckily, there is a vaccination for horses. For the rest of us, mosquito control is the best protection!

Help out at home by removing standing water that accumulates in planters, pools, buckets, tires, etc. This is where mosquitoes lay eggs. Cover water storage containers (cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get in. Prevent bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing and using repellants when outdoors. Keep screens on doors/windows to prevent mosquitoes indoors.

WNV is just one of many diseases that mosquitoes can transmit to animals and people and lowering the prevalence helps us all!

While we wait for test results, this owl is receiving fluids and tube feedings as it is not yet stable enough to eat on its own. We are hopeful that this bird will recover, but WNV typically has a poor prognosis.