West Nile Virus Found Again in Contra Costa County's Mosquitos, Birds

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Three more dead birds and another group of mosquitoes in Contra Costa County tested positive for West Nile virus, officials with the county's Mosquito & Vector Control District said today.

One bird was found in Concord, another in Martinez and the third in Walnut Creek, while the mosquitoes were trapped near Knightsen.

This year, 25 birds and nine mosquito samples have tested positive for the virus. Vector control officials are emphasizing that even though it's fall, mosquitoes are still active and residents should protect themselves as
warm weather lingers.

"People still need to protect themselves until the cooler weather arrives and the mosquitoes go to sleep for the winter," district scientific program manager Steve Schultz said in a statement. Vector control officials suggest reducing the risk of getting bit by dumping or draining standing water, using repellents containing DEET, oil
of lemon eucalyptus or Picaridin and staying indoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

Maintaining swimming pools is especially important since one pool can breed more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to 5 miles away.

Residents can review this year's activity among birds and mosquitoes in the county by going to
http://www.contracostamosquito.com/wnv_contra_2016.htm. For information about human cases, residents can call (888) 959-9911. Vector control officials urge residents to report dead birds to
the state's hotline at (877) 968-2473 or at http://www.westnile.ca.gov/.

By Bay City News

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