Home Contra Costa County West Nile Virus Activity Heats Up in Contra Costa County

West Nile Virus Activity Heats Up in Contra Costa County

by ECT

Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – – The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District confirmed today that three more chickens from Holland Tract, an area near Brentwood, and one dead bird each from Bethel Island and Walnut Creek tested positive for West Nile virus.

“We’re responsible for protecting public health across 736 square miles,” said the District’s Public Affairs Manager Deborah Bass. “With a plethora of backyard containers including the notorious neglected swimming pools invisible to us, as well as a host of other mosquito sources, we use a variety of tools to monitor for and treat mosquitoes. Overall, chickens and dead birds serve as early warning systems that alert us to virus transmission. We can then scour the immediate area for mosquitoes and treat them accordingly.”

Birds are the reservoir for West Nile virus. The two species of mosquitoes in Contra Costa County capable of transmitting the virus prefer to feed on birds; however, people can become infected when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then a person. West Nile virus symptoms of the mild form include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, and swollen lymph glands. While the illness can last only a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks. West Nile virus of the severe form can be fatal.

Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines:

  • Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes can’t begin their lives without water.
  • Defend yourself against mosquitoes by using repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
  • Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk.
  • Report neglected swimming pools by calling 925-771-6195 or visiting www.ContraCostaMosquito.com  Anonymous calls accepted. Just one neglected pool can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.
  • Report dead birds to the state hotline: 1-877-968-2473. All reports are crucial, even if the bird does not meet criteria for testing.

Since 2005, 47 people in Contra Costa County have been diagnosed with West Nile virus. In 2006, two people died from the disease. Recent studies have shown that the majority of cases are not diagnosed and are grossly underreported. For 2014, a total of one group of mosquitoes, four chicken and 11 dead birds have tested positive for the virus. 

Visit the District’s website or click on these links for current West Nile virus activity  or to receive automatic emails for when the District fogs for adult mosquitoes.

Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord. Call the District to report mosquito problems at (925) 771-6195 or visit their office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to get FREE mosquitofish for ornamental ponds, horse troughs or neglected swimming pools.

2014 Contra Costa West Nile Virus Activity

Mosquito Samples: 1

nDate ReportedCityCross StreetsSpecies
16/23/14KnightsenHolland Tract AreaCulex tarsalis

Dead Birds: 11

nDate ReportedCityCross StreetsSpecies
14/23/14AlamoDanville Blvd. x Camille Ave.American Crow
25/18/14Pleasant HillMonument Blvd. x Mohr Ln.American Crow
36/9/14San RamonNorris Canyon Rd. x Bollinger Canyon Rd.American Crow
4614/14OakleyEmpire Ave. x Main St.American Crow
56/17/14OakleyEmpire Ave. x Hemlock Dr.American Crow
66/17/14OakleyEmpire Ave. x Hemlock Dr.American Crow
76/20/14BrentwoodLone Tree Wy x O’Hara Ave.American Crow
86/25/14AntiochHillcrest Ave. x Sunset. Dr.American Crow
96/26/14San RamonBollinger Canyon Rd. x Norris Canyon Rd.American Crow
107/2/14Bethel IslandBethel Island Rd. x Gateway Rd.American Crow
117/9/14Walnut CreekArroyo Wy. x N. BroadwayAmerican Crow

Sentinel Chicken Flocks: 1

# of Chickens out of 10 (10 per Flock)Date BledArea
1/106/16/14Holland Tract
3/106/30/14Holland Tract

Horses: 0

nDate ReportedCityDead/Euthanized

Source: Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District

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5 comments

Dislike dishonesty Jul 9, 2014 - 3:32 pm

This report is most likely not accurate. A few years ago we had birds dropping dead in our yard. We called for them to be picked up several times. The response was to throw them away. Finally we brought one to them and we were greeted by two agitated employees that didn’t want to deal with the intake of the case. We assumed they had safe & secure jobs by the way they handled the phone calls and the lobby. We also reported a pool next to us with standing water for a year. Nothing was done. Luckily, we finally got a new neighbor after a few years.

EastCountyToday Jul 9, 2014 - 4:58 pm

This information is a press release directly from Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District

Everything printed is not facts Jul 9, 2014 - 5:01 pm

That’s why I said it’s most likely not accurate. They don’t do thier jobs. No different than our city council.

Chuck Jul 9, 2014 - 5:56 pm

Don’t worry about the birds. The illegals with diseases that are heading north. If they don’t pass H1N1 you can pray you don’t get shot in Antioch. Government has become less useful as each year goes by. Thanks Obama, hope your golf handicap stays low and your vacations expensive.

Reginald Jamal Brown Jul 9, 2014 - 7:36 pm

Good one about Obama. That guy is amusing.

Comments are closed.