Home Contra Costa County West Nile Virus Persists: More Mosquitoes, A Bird, Chickens Test Positive

West Nile Virus Persists: More Mosquitoes, A Bird, Chickens Test Positive

by ECT

Concord, CA – The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District is reporting mosquitoes from Quimby Island and Bethel Island, a dead bird from Oakley, and chickens from Martinez and Oakley have tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first West Nile virus activity from Bethel Island this year.

So far in 2018, 17 groups of mosquitoes, 12 dead birds, and 15 chickens from Contra Costa County have tested positive for the virus.

According to the District’s Scientific Programs Manager Steve Schutz, Ph.D., “Even though today is technically the last day of summer, there is warm weather in the forecast which means West Nile virus season is not over. West Nile virus replicates faster in warm weather, so county residents should continue to dump standing water to prevent mosquitoes and wear repellent to prevent mosquito bites.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Residents can also avoid mosquito bites by  staying indoors when mosquitoes can be present. Mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus are most active at dawn and dusk.

Most mosquitoes can’t start their lives without water, and so dumping out standing water prevents mosquitoes from having a place to develop.

And report dead birds to the state hotline: 1-877-968-2473. Birds are often the first sign of disease transmission in a particular area. Ravens, jays, crows, and magpies can be susceptible to the virus, and may die if infected. Even if the birds are not tested, the reports alone yield crucial information to protect public health.

For a list of Contra Costa County’s 2018 West Nile virus activity and locations, visit the District’s website.

 

Mosquito Samples: 17

nDate ReportedCityCross StreetsSpecies
17/11/18Discovery BayCherry Hills Drive x Hwy 4Culex pipiens
27/16/18

Agricultural Area East of Brentwood

Orwood Road x Levee RoadCulex tarsalis
37/30/18Discovery BayMarina Rd x Willow Lake RdCulex pipiens
48/1//18OakleyE. Summer Lake Dr x Cypress RdCulex tarsalis
58/8/18Discovery BayWillow Lake Rd x Discovery Bay BlvdCulex pipiens
68/13/18Holland Tract AreaHolland TractCulex tarsalis
78/13/18MartinezWaterfront Rd Mococo RdCulex tarsalis
88/9/18OakleyBlue Lake Ct x Clear Lake DrCulex pipiens
98/15/18Discovery BayBixler Rd x Point of Timber RdCulex tarsalis
108/15/18Quimby IslandQuimby IslandCulex tarsalis
118/20/18Discovery BayCherry Hills Dr. x Hwy 4Culex pipiens
128/20/18ByronRankin Rd x Western Farms Ranch RdCulex tarsalis
138/22/18BrentwoodFertado Ln x Ellisa Ln.Culex pipiens
148/29/18Quimby IslandQuimby IslandCulex tarsalis
158/29/18BrentwoodEden Plains Rd x Arabian LnCulex pipiens
169/11/18Quimby IslandQuimby IslandCulex tarsalis
179/17/18Bethel IslandStone RdCulex tarsalis

Dead Birds: 12

nDate ReportedCityCross StreetsSpecies
17/29/18BrentwoodSycamore Ave x Garin PkyCalifornia Scrub-Jay
28/5/18Discovery BayDiscovery Bay Blvd x Willow Lake RdCalifornia Scrub-Jay
38/5/18Discovery BayDune Point Wy x Dune Point PlCalifornia Scrub-Jay
48/8/18BrentwoodWalnut Blvd x Carnegie LnAmerican Crow
58/15/18BrentwoodFertado Ln x Ellisa LnAmerican Crow
68/15/18Discovery BayWayfarer Dr x Cherry Hills DrAmerican Crow
78/15/18AntiochValley Wy x Ridgeview DrAmerican Crow
88/15/18ConcordConcord Blvd x Crestwood CirCalifornia Scrub Jay
98/28/18MartinezBlum Rd x Alan WyCalifornia Scrub Jay
108/29/18Discovery BayWestport Cir x N Lakefront LoopAmerican Crow
118/30/18Discovery BayGreenfield Wy x Greenfield CtAmerican Crow
129/12/18OakleyMain St x Norcross LnAmerican Crow

Sentinel Chicken Flocks: 3

Note: Chickens do not die from West Nile virus. They develop antibodies to the virus which is detected in their blood.

#/10Date BleedArea
77/2/18Holland Tract
37/16/18Martinez
38/13/18Holland Tract
19/10/18Martinez
19/10/18Oakley

Horses: 0

nDate ReportedCityDead/Euthanized

 

 

Since 2005, 63 Contra Costa County residents have been diagnosed with West Nile virus. In 2006, two people died from the disease. For current human case information, please contact Contra Costa Health Services at 888-959-9911.

Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord. Contact the District to report mosquito problems online or at (925) 685-9301. Visit the office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to get FREE mosquitofish for ornamental ponds, horse troughs or neglected swimming pools.

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