Wednesday,September 3, 2003

Health dept. lacks follow-up on possible West Nile cases

I would like to see a little more concern shown when I call the Fayette County Health Department, Environmental Health, to report having found two dead birds in my yard over a period of three days.

Neither bird had any signs of having died a violent death. In fact, I watched one bird, a bluejay, die a slow and agonizing death over a period of several hours.

I live right next to Fayette Pavilion, the shopping complex where lots of people go on a daily basis. There is a severe mosquito problem in the area.

I've called the county several times about the birds but they always let me know they are not going to do anything. I guess they're waiting until someone dies before they take action. I just hope it's not me or you.

Cathy Norman

Fayetteville, Ga.