[2] O.K. to Feed the Birds Says Editor of Biomedical Journal, Viral Immunology.

LARCHMONT, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1999--

Bird lovers who are concerned about attracting birds to their winter bird feeds because of fear of encephalitis caused by the West Nile Virus, can continue to feed their feathered friends, according to Carol Reiss, Ph.D. editor of the peer-reviewed journal, Viral Immunology, published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc. (www.liebertpub.com).

"Mosquitoes hibernate as inactive eggs during the winter, and there is no reason not to feed the birds who do not migrate south during the winter months," says Dr. Reiss.

"Many people, particularly those who live in the suburbs or country, told me that they are worried about feeding the birds because they do not want to attract birds or even squirrels who may have been infected with the West Nile Virus," said Mary Ann Liebert, publisher of Viral Immunology.

"I often give bird feeders as holiday gifts and feed the birds myself, so when several stores reported that sales of bird feed have dropped because of this fear, I thought an expert opinion was in order."

"There is no question that many (but proportionally very few) mosquitoes were infected by the virus during the summer 1999," explains Dr. Reiss. "Some of these insects bit birds including crows, some bit horses, and some transmitted their infection to people in the New York area.

"Most people who got sick did not develop the severe infection of the brain, encephalitis. Many of the birds infected died of their disease. This is an acute disease and birds and people either recovered or died of the infections. The West Nile Virus does not cause persistent (long) infections. Therefore, any birds remaining in this area are either immune or were never infected.

"I want to reassure people that by feeding the sparrows and finches they will not be increasing the risks of being exposed to the infection next summer," continued Dr. Reiss, who is a professor at New York University.

"During the winter, the normal food supplies for the birds are often unavailable, and filling bird feeders with seeds helps to sustain the birds which might otherwise starve during the snowy winters in the Northeast.

"When normal food sources are available for birds in the Spring, people usually discontinue filling feed. This should be fine, this year. However, because the virus may be still in the mosquito egg reservoir, towns and cities will have to take measures to prevent the mosquitoes from developing in large numbers in the late spring, summer and early fall.

"The virus cannot be spread from bird to bird or to man without an insect intermediate. The epidemiologists have not concluded what factors contribute to severe illness in man, but certainly, avoiding exposure to mosquitoes next spring, summer and fall will be a prudent idea," concluded Dr. Reiss.

Viral Immunology is published quarterly by Mary Ann Liebert Inc. For more information, please call Pat Hogan at 914/834-3100, ext. 611 or e-mail [e-mail]. Mary Ann Liebert Inc., Two Madison Avenue, Larchmont, NY 10538.