CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – – The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District confirmed today that four more groups of mosquitoes, five more dead birds, and two more chickens tested positive for West Nile virus.
The infected mosquitoes were trapped in Discovery Bay last week and again this week. The birds were found in Antioch (2), Brentwood, Concord and Danville. The chickens are from Holland Tract and Oakley. All 2014 West Nile virus activity and locations can be found on the District’s website.
District inspectors fogged for adult mosquitoes in Discovery Bay on Monday. No further fogging is planned at this time.
“Wearing mosquito repellent is essential to help reduce the risk of getting the virus through the bite of an infected mosquito,” said the District’s Public Affairs Manager Deborah Bass.
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 seven groups of mosquitoes, six chickens and 19 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.
Mosquito Samples: 7
| n | Date Reported | City | Cross Streets | Species |
| 1 | 6/23/14 | Knightsen | Holland Tract Area | Culex tarsalis |
| 2 | 7/7/14 | Discovery Bay | Cherry Hills Dr. | Culex pipiens |
| 3 | 7/7/14 | Martinez | I-680 x Waterfront Rd. | Culex tarsalis |
| 4 | 7/14/14 | Discovery Bay | Cherry Hills Dr. x Marina Rd. | Culex pipiens |
| 5 | 7/16/14 | Discovery Bay | Bixler Rd. x Balfour Rd. | Culex pipiens |
| 6 | 7/17/14 | Discovery Bay | Cherry Hills Drive x Wayfarer Drive | Culex tarsalis |
| 7 | 7/23/14 | Discovery Bay | Byron Tract Levee | Culex tarsalis |
Dead Birds: 19
| n | Date Reported | City | Cross Streets | Species |
| 1 | 4/23/14 | Alamo | Danville Blvd. x Camille Ave. | American Crow |
| 2 | 5/18/14 | Pleasant Hill | Monument Blvd. x Mohr Ln. | American Crow |
| 3 | 6/9/14 | San Ramon | Norris Canyon Rd. x Bollinger Canyon Rd. | American Crow |
| 4 | 614/14 | Oakley | Empire Ave. x Main St. | American Crow |
| 5 | 6/17/14 | Oakley | Empire Ave. x Hemlock Dr. | American Crow |
| 6 | 6/17/14 | Oakley | Empire Ave. x Hemlock Dr. | American Crow |
| 7 | 6/20/14 | Brentwood | Lone Tree Wy x O’Hara Ave. | American Crow |
| 8 | 6/25/14 | Antioch | Hillcrest Ave. x Sunset. Dr. | American Crow |
| 9 | 6/26/14 | San Ramon | Bollinger Canyon Rd. x Norris Canyon Rd. | American Crow |
| 10 | 7/2/14 | Bethel Island | Bethel Island Rd. x Gateway Rd. | American Crow |
| 11 | 7/9/14 | Walnut Creek | Arroyo Wy. x N. Broadway | American Crow |
| 12 | 7/10/14 | Oakley | Kay Ave. x O’Hara Ave. | Western Scrub Jay |
| 13 | 7/13/14 | Antioch | Camby Rd. x G St. | Western Scrub Jay |
| 14 | 7/14/14 | Brentwood | Foothill Dr. x Balfour Rd. | American Crow |
| 15 | 7/16/14 | Danville | Hartford Rd. x Danville Blvd. | American Crow |
| 16 | 7/17/14 | Antioch | Hargrove St. x E. 18th St. | American Crow |
| 17 | 7/17/14 | Brentwood | Minnesota Ave. x Windmeadows Dr. | Western Scrub Jay |
| 18 | 7/21/14 | Antioch | Judsonville Dr. x Hansen Dr. | Western Scrub Jay |
| 19 | 7/23/14 | Concord | Bancroft Rd. x Hookston Rd. | Western Scrub Jay |
Sentinel Chicken Flocks: 2
| # of Chickens out of 10 (10 per Flock) | Date Bled | Area |
| 1/10 | 6/16/14 | Holland Tract |
| 3/10 | 6/30/14 | Holland Tract |
| 1/10 | 7/14/14 | Holland Tract |
| 1/10 | 7/14/14 | Oakley |
Horses: 0
| n | Date Reported | City | Dead/Euthanized |
Source: The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District
