24 Jun More West Nile Virus Found in Dead Birds

Two crows found dead in Contra Costa County had West Nile virus. This bird, at Bryce Canyon National Park, is not one of them. (Photo by Tyler Quiring on Unsplash)

By Bay City News

West Nile virus has been confirmed in two crows found dead in Concord on June 17, the first positive tests since April, the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District said.

Other infected dead birds have been reported in Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, the Contra Costa district said in a press release Friday.

Since 2005, 75 people in Contra Costa County have been diagnosed with West Nile virus, and in 2006, two people died from the virus, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

“Now that it’s summer, with increasing temperatures, the risk of West Nile virus increases, because the virus reaches higher levels in mosquitoes when the outside temperature stays above 55 degrees at night,” said Steve Schutz, the county’s scientific program director. “This is the time of year when it’s very important for Contra Costa County residents to take precautions to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and to report dead birds because dead birds are often the first sign of WNV in a particular location.”

Contra Costa County residents can report dead birds by phone at (877) WNV-BIRD (968-2473) or online. County residents can also request mosquito service for residential property by calling (925) 685-9301 or online.

Copyright © 2024 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.